Ruling in Cancer Treatment Case 0
I mentioned this earlier. Apparently the judge doesn’t think much more of Mexican cancer clinics than I do:
The judge also found Starchild Abraham Cherrix’s parents were neglectful for allowing him to pursue alternative treatment of a sugar-free, organic diet and herbal supplements supervised by a clinic in Mexico, lawyer John Stepanovich said.
Jay and Rose Cherrix of Chincoteague planned to appeal, the lawyer said.
After chemotherapy last year made him nauseated and weak, the teen rejected doctors’ recommendations to go through a second round when he learned his Hodgkin’s disease, a cancer of the lymph nodes, had recurred.
One of my friends says that 16-year old should be able to make his own health care decisions.
I think that is a defensible position. That may be morally the case, though legally he is still a minor. The decision should, nevertheless, be an informed decision; anyone who chooses Mexican cancer clinics is not making an informed decision (follow the link in the initial post for more information about Mexican cancer clinics).
The judge’s decision may have been wrong; that what appeals are for. The teen’s choice is certainly wrong.
Update, 7/26/2006
This ruling is pending a new trial.
