You may have recently heard or seen the news regarding the case of Daniel Hauser, a 13 year old, who has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is one of the most curable types of cancer, however Daniel and his parents are denying further standard treatments saying the treatments would violate their religious beliefs. The family are members of Nemenhah, a American Indian organization that prefers natural healing methods.
Back in February, Daniel underwent one round of chemotherapy, yet when he became ill, his parents refused to send him in for a second treatment. For the past several months, they have ignored the advice of cancer specialists and turned to natural therapies, such as herbs and vitamins.
A judge ruled the parents have medically neglected Daniel and ordered Daniel to have updated chest x-rays as well as see an oncologists for re-evaluation. After the x-ray showed the tumor in Daniel’s chest had grown, the mother and son left town. At the time of this writing, both Daniel and his mother have returned, but are still refusing to comply with any court orders that would require Daniel to undergo chemotherapy.
Cases like Daniel’s are often presented as issues of “health freedom”, parental rights, or the right of a minor to control his or her body. The court seems to have only three options: to try and convince Daniel’s parents to allow Daniel to have the treatment, to force Daniel to undergo treatment by taking physical custody of him, or to let Daniel pursue his own course of action and possibly die.
My question to you this week is, “What do you think the court should decide? Should it be the court or the parents decision?” Answers are due by Monday, June 1st, 2009.
I feel that Daniel should have something to say in this case. He is 13 years old and is old enough to decide wheather he wants to follow the advice of his parents or to let the court take over and give him the medical attention that he needs. It really depends on his beliefs. A 13year old child can leagally make a choice of what parent they want to live with in a divorced family, so they should have the right to get away from neglectful parents if that's what he wants to do. I think that the court should at least take his feeling and concerns in to consideration befor they decide.
ReplyDeleteI think Daniel should be the one to decide if he would like the help of the court or to follow his parents decision. It is Daniel's life and he has heard what the court has to say and what his parents think. He is old enough to decide, even though his parents probably don't think so. I think the court should decide based on the boys decision.
ReplyDeleteparents need to be open minded about the situation and know that it's their childs life that is at risk. everyone has their own religious views but, when it comes to a childs life being harmed, you really need to consider other methods vs your own beliefs because when they tried the natural method it got bigger not better. Honestly, I think it's just selfish, if you're way of curing isn't working, you need to think of another solution even if it does go against your religious views. But, I think that the court needs to step in and take control of the situation before its too late.
ReplyDeleteReligious views are wonderful and an amazing part of America. That said they should never put a child's life in danger. The state has a responsibility to step in and protect a child's life when the parents have failed to adequately provide for a minors well being.
ReplyDeleteThere is also the fact that medical staff said the boy was responding well to the chemo and was looking as if continued treatment would further better his condition. Had they said that the case was terminal and that nothing else that medical science could do would better the boys life then that is a separate issue, but this is not the case. The parent was willfully choosing to end the child's life based on her beliefs.
I agree with everyone. My thoughts are that the parents are not capable to put the childs well being first. Since they cannot the medical staff needs to treat the patient in order to cure him. The parents should loose there rights in the decision of his medical treatment and this should be ruled by the courts. The treatment for the 13yr olds recovery needs to start now instead of waiting for a ruling.
ReplyDeleteI think that the parents need to step up and give the child the medical care that he needs. If their religion doesnt allow them to have medical help, and they want to try their way that is fine. The problem comes when the child is not getting any better from their natural herbs and remedys to cure their son. They tried one treatment of chemo, so they already gave him some medical care so they should go ahead and give him rest of the medical attention that he needs to live. I also think the medical doctors should try their hardest to save Daniel and take custody because it would be better for him to live and be in their custody, than to die. His parents need to decide what is more important to them, their son's life, or their belief.
ReplyDeleteDaniel should have a say in this and the court should try and do something. On the other hand his parents don't believe in medicine or doctors. I think the parents should just give in and help their son. I know if I had a son with his condition and I had their religion I would break all rules just to make him better.
ReplyDeleteI understand their religious beliefs, but there is always an exception for anything. When a child is in danger, parents should do anything possible to save their child’s life. My biggest problem is they have already given him chemotherapy, so why not continue with this process. I think if the parent’s do not allow Daniel to continue therapy, the judge should step up and be allowed to take physical custody of Daniel. The only problem is it takes away the freedom of religion and parenting rights.
ReplyDeleteAs I watched this story unfold on tv, I thought to myself, WOW! What is wrong with his parents and why wouldn't they want to get him better! I understand the religouse beliefs and all, but God wouldn't have made people smart enough to try and find cures for things like this! Then i think what if it was me? I always ssaid that I would never do kimo, because I saw what it did to some members of my family. I would rather live every day enjoying my life, or what i have time I have left with mt family, instead of lying around being sick. I wouldn't want my children to see me like that. So I guess what i'm trying to say is that it would be hard as a parent to see my own child going through this. In other words, I'm not sure what to feel about this situation. I just hope and pray that a small miracle will happen for Daniel and his family.
ReplyDeleteHodgkin's Lymphoma is one of the most curable types of cancer, but it is a very fast growing cancer, and can kill you very quickly if left untreated. Hodgkin's Lymphoma does involve a strong round of Chemotherapy, or radiation. This was the type of Cancer that I had and it is no joke, even the most curable cancer is still cancer and ther is no amount of praying or alternative treatments that can cure it. Anyways, These parents are killing their son by denying the proper treatment for their son. The 13 year old kid doen't know what is right because his parents haven't given him the information he needs. They believe that their faith would be enough to cure their son, but this is insane. Their procrastination on this issue may condem their son to a very unpleasant death, this is why the courts have stepped in. To make sure that this young boy gets the treatment he needs to preserve his life.
ReplyDeleteI think the court should decide to convince the parents the severity of the situation with the childs health and that for them to use common sense with this cancer. The child needs medical treatment and sometimes natural herbs don't work as fast as medicines. It should be the parents decision but at the same token, the parents should think about how it will effect everyone. I understand about the religion part but do you allow someone die because you don't believe in medicine?
ReplyDeleteI understand that parents want what is best for their children, but they are thinking about their religious beliefs not their childs. The child at the age of 13 is only thinking about what his parents or friends and family believe. The court needs to step in to make sure that he gets the help he needs. Then, however, you can look at it on a different standpoint...there are different ways of healing and modern medicine doesn't always help. But, I believe that in this case the court had a right to step in because there is such a high rate of curability in this cancer.
ReplyDeleteI believe the court should decide the treatment course for the young boy. I'm all for freedom of religion, but there has to be a line drawn somewhere. Life is sacred and should be treated as such. It's really sad the parents would rather hold to their views of religion than see their son live.
ReplyDeletei think the court should step in for sure and take custody of the child. that is in the childs best interest and they are only trying to help him. im sure the parents will be happier with a child who is still alive and underwent treatment than one who might die and then they would have to live with it for the rest of their lives.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the courts need to step in and get Daniel the treatment that he needs since the cancer is obviously growing. Since the natural treatments are not working, another avenue needs to be taken. It is worth the effort to get treatment so that he may live a longer life. The parents should at least give the treatment some time to work and then take action if the results are not desirable.
ReplyDeletei feel that daniel should have his own say on the subject if he doesnt want the treatment then he shouldnt be forced to take it but if its just his parents telling him not to take the treatment then he should be spoken too alone and told all the repercusions of not taking the treatment and then he should decide what he wants to do
ReplyDeleteI think it should be left up to the parents and the child to decide what they want to do. its like when a patient is on life support and they have already passed away but the machine is keeping their body and brain alive. Its up to the parents or spouse to decide when to pull the plug. if we have the right to freedom of religion and its a religious belief why should the courts be allowed to interfer? I think that they should step back and let them handle it. They dont step in when a person in their 20's has cancer and refuses to get treatment so why should they if the boy doesnt want anything.
ReplyDeletei think that it is daniels choice but at some point i also beleive that his illness is getting to the point to where he neeeds treatment and his parents shouldnt be telling him that he doesnt need it. i think that the parents should be charged for neglect and daniel should get medicated.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Erik they should have some say so until it becomes that progressed.
ReplyDeleteI thank that the court should step n and try to do what is best for the child because no one wont's to see a child die and the parents should be a little open minded and try to help there child.
ReplyDeleteI think that the court should decide to let Daniel pursue his own course of action leaving the possiblity of death. I believe that it should be the parents decision. If the child is also willing to abide by the parents beliefs - then so be it. If the child is not, then I believe that the court should step in, but only at that time. Thank you, Shannon Sellars
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