Stretching the Boundaries of Parental Responsibility and New Legal Guidelines for Determination of Brain Death
(2017) Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 14(3), 323-328
Posted: 10 Sep 2018
Date Written: September 3, 2018
Abstract
A recent decision of the Family Court of Australia stretches the boundaries of parental authority and, arguably, fails to protect the interests of the child. At the outset of this discussion it is important to recognize the love and care that the parents of Carla (the child at the centre of this decision) have for her and their strong view that the treatment they are seeking is in her best interests. This overview in no way challenges that motive, rather it raises general questions regarding the broad legal principal that emerges from the decision.
Keywords: Parental responsibility, Best interests of the child, Invasive treatment, Gender, Brain death, End-of-life, Uniform Determination of Death Act, American Academy of Neurology
JEL Classification: K30, K00, K32, K39
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
