Apparently law suits for wrongful birth are on the rise and there is some concern that this might cause some medical officers to overstate the congenital problems seen on ultrasound http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrongful_birth In some countries this is on the rise, and apparently more so in Israel where there is a high degree of consanguineous marriages
That is an idiotic lawsuit, as many these days are. They claim that the doctor did not suggest they commit a homicide, so they are suing him? Ridiculous.
Are doctors somehow supposed to magically know when any of their patients will create a child with a disease? I could see why it would be wrong not to inform them if the fetus had a genetic defect while in utero and give them the option to abort, but unless these people are getting their DNA tested before they choose to get pregnant, how is anyone supposed to know? This just seems like another way for people to make loads of cash quickly and easily...
Amniocentesis and ultrasounds reveal fetal anomalies. A law was passed in Oklahoma that doctors could legally withhold information from the prospective parents about birth defects. That should not be the doctor's decision.
And this is the response I was hoping to elicit - thank-you Granny A thought for everyone - is "wrongful birth/life" just the natural balance that should occur since now we have the technology to "save" those that would have otherwise died?
No, but if the doctor suspects there may be a problem with the fetus, he has a duty to inform the parents of this. The parents have a right to informed of any potential problems, and to make a decision about it.
Wow, see now I agree that that is wrong to do. I just didn't understand what they meant, like just knowing if the two parents have a combination of genes that cause defects in the fetus. But yeah, withholding information on the health of the parents fetus is very, very wrong. They're supposed to be educating these prospective parents on what they should expect once their child is here. Not withholding information that perhaps the fetus has defects and deformities. At least then they can make informed decisions. =/
The issue is the doctor did not tell the prospective parents information the doctor KNEW or would have know, if he was doing his job. NOT telling parents about fetal problems could easily CAUSE the loss of the fetus if medical or treatment steps were not taken that could save it from the particular problem. If a doctor SUGGESTED an abortion, that would be malpractice, as well.
Their licenses should be revoked, unless the woman's life is in Imminent danger. (Look up imminent Prometeus).
Doctors will recommend an abortion if there is something badly wrong with the fetus, too - I guess the doctor should be punished for that?
But these torts are actually forcing medical staff into the position where if they do NOT recommend abortion in some instances they may be sued
The lifers might actually prefer that. Being sued is better than recommending death, would be their argument.
Why should someone be forced to take care of a severely disabled baby they cannot afford medical treatment for, just because you want to deny them an abortion?
No one is killing children for financial reasons, but many people are preventing children for financial reasons. Good for them, poverty is not a good environment for children or anyone else.
The the law-suit is over the fact the doctor purposely withheld information from them even though he knew there was a chance of the baby in question having a disease. This prevented them from making an informed decision on the matter. They are not suing over the fact they the doctor did not reccomend an abortion. They are bringing this issue to law because the doctor; having this information did not tell them of the possibility; preventing them from coming to their own conclusion. One of the worst things a parent can ever hear from a doctor is 'there is something wrong with the baby' on the day their child is born. If they were informed and aware this could have happened from the start then they chose to accept the consequences. However being completely uninformed of the fact their child would be born with a disease or complication with today's medical technology is ridiculous. Ultra-sound and dna testing can reveal just about any abnormality at a very early stage in a pregnancy. By not informing the parents of the possibility the doctor robbed from them the ability to make a free and informed choice. Would I prefer it if the child hadn't been born? No, of course not. But I would like the parents to have the right to come to a decision on their own.
Why, if you truly oppose killing children, would you want the parents to have the oportunity to justify killing their child?
If it was alied you could prove it, but all you can do is bloviate, repeating the same inane drivel over and over.
No one is killing or suggests killing children. Your inability to comprehend this does not alter that fact.
It started that way but not http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrongful_birth Wrongful life suits are even more clear cut - and easier to win in court as there is more jury sympathy for a child seeking wrongful life than a parent stating they would have aborted their child http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrongful_life
