Week 5 Blog- HUMN330- The Ethical Dilemma of Forced Chemotherapy on a Teen

The case of Cassandra C., a 17-year-old in Connecticut who refused to continue receiving chemotherapy to treat her Hodgkin's lymphoma, poses a genuine ethical dilemma. The dilemma stems from a conflict between two leading ethical principles. One principle, respect for autonomy, calls for respecting individuals' right to self-determination. In the medical context, that means allowing people to refuse medical treatment, even lifesaving therapy. The other ethical principle, beneficence, directs physicians and hospitals to maximize benefits and minimize harms in caring for patients.

Micrograph showing Hodgkin's lymphoma

Cassandra is still a minor which means a parent or legal guardian has the legal authority to make the health care decisions on her behalf. In this rare case the mother of Cassandra, sides with her daughters decision to not be treated. With this decision, the legal courts have the authority to overrule parent’s decision when their medical decision threatens the life or health of their offspring. On Jan. 18, 2015, the Connecticut Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision and ruled that Cassandra must continue to undergo chemotherapy against her will. Force medical treatment was given to her by the State for her to survive. They have installed a port in her chest where the drugs would be administered. It was reported that the hospital has also strapped this child on the bed by her wrist and ankles and sedated. This will be a long process of treatment, painful, uncomfortable process that Cassandra and the mother did not want to endure. In December, the state has taken custody of Cassandra and has also limited direct contact of the mother unless in the presence of a child welfare worker present, they are also not allowed to have contact by phone.

Should a 17 year old undergo such a treatment where she is forced against her will, strapped in her hospital bed and will end in a foster home because the mother choose to based her decision on the wishes of her child? Even the State who authorized the force treatment, do they really have the right to do this to a child?

Cassandra may be thankful to the state in the end if she is cured, thankful that they saved her life, thankful to the medical professionals and hospital that raised the issue. We have to wait to see what her answer is when she is completely cured.

Reference:

Macklin, R. (n.d.). The Ethical Dilemma of Forced Chemotherapy on a Teen. Retrieved April 24, 2015, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ruth-macklin/the-ethical-dilemma-of-fo_b_6457592.html