Bioethics Blogs

Parents May Refuse Life Saving Therapy for Child

Six-year-old Oshin Kiszko has a brain tumor.  But when his parents refused treatment, Princess Margaret Hospital took legal action.  The hospital lost.

The Family Court of Western Australia ruled that the parents may refuse, because the risk / benefit balance does not clearly favor treatment.  Radiotherapy has only a 30-40% chance of survival in five years’ time.  Yet, it entails side effects such as stunted growth, hearing problems and cognitive deficits.
