Bi-Weekly Round Up: 23rd August 2021
This week, we choose to revisit the tragic plight of Alta Fixsler and her family in attempting to make a decision regarding continuing life sustaining treatment and discuss the issues of medical futility and treatment undertaken in a child’s best interests. This case raises important ethical and moral considerations when attempting to make a decision regarding whether to continue treatment, particularly in children with severe disabilities and poor prognosis.
1. Considering Alta’s best interest: Is dying in her best interest?
Opinion piece in The Spectator by Melanie McDonagh
2. Is Alta Fixsler being failed by the UK health system?
Opinion piece within the National Review criticising the decision of the judiciary in denying Alta’s parents request.
3. Disagreements in the care of critically ill children
Fantastic briefing noted produced previously by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, still relevant in situations similar to the case of Alta Fixsler
And finally, why not revisit an excellent journal article published in Paediatrics discussing the ethical arguments in defence of obstructing the international transfer of seriously ill children in some specific situations