Boy ordered to get chemotherapy
Danny Hauser, a 13-year-old boy in Minnesota, has been ordered by a judge to receive chemotherapy despite his and his parents’ religious beliefs. The Hauser family belong to a religious organization called the Nemenhah Band and have elected to use natural remedies instead of traditional cancer treatments. Although a doctor said that Danny has a 90% chance of survival with chemotherapy and only a 5% chance without, the family says the herbs and vitamins are working.
I believe that the government is overstepping its authority in this case.
Daniel said in an affidavit, “I claim this, as my right, that no one: No government, No big Brother, No Tribe, No other human being may interfere with my Spiritual Path and my consciousness.”
His lawyer, Calvin Johnson, said “The path advocated by the State is one of torture and criminal action.”
I agree with them! If Danny had wanted to receive chemotherapy and his parents wouldn’t let him, then I would agree with the ruling in this case. But he doesn’t, and the government should not force him to undergo painful medical treatments that he doesn’t want.
An attorney for Daniel’s court-appointed guardian said his parents are “medically neglecting” him. But letting someone do what they want to do should never be considered neglect. I don’t believe that parents have the right to decide what medical treatments a child gets; I think that the child has the right to decide. A 13-year-old is old enough to make his own decisions, and neither parents nor the government should say that he doesn’t know what is best for himself merely because they disagree with his decision.
Even if the doctors are right that Daniel would die without chemotherapy, it’s not right for the court to force treatment on him. The government should never be able to force anyone to undergo any medical procedure that they do not want.