Beliefs v Medicine...

The parents may be parents, and the mom could technically make all the calls before the baby is born (because at that point, the baby is dependent on the mother's life), but after it is born, it becomes a life of it's own, and because it can't make decisions, someone has to make decisions for it. The baby may grow up not having the same beliefs as it's parents. The baby should be given a chance to grow up and learn from its experiences, and then make it's own calls. The parents have no right to give up their baby's life in the name of "faith", because all they're doing is giving up the child's welfare. I believe that the child should be saved.

I have heard that before about that belief about blood transfusions, but if they could only realize that God gave us doctors, medicines and ways to treat illnesses. I don't know where they find it in the Bible that way. I have been a Christian now, for about 15 years and I do not know the reasoning behind it, but we still have to honor their belief. glowin100

I think ultimately, it is up to the parents and if they prefer to take the risk of not intervening and then the worst happens that is their hard decision to make but, I guess the medical people are in that area because they beleive in helping, especially if in this case, they believe they can help as then I guess they would not understand the parents for not wanting to try!

Of course instinctually I want to say that the life of the baby or child is more important than the beliefs of the parents. However, I do not think it is necessarily all that simple, and I think that each case should be viewed individually. For example, if the parents refuse treatment for a child with the flu based solely on religious beliefs, then I think that their decision should be overturned, because dehydration and other complications from the flu are easily treated and there is a high probability that the child will be fine after treatment. On the other hand, if parents deny cancer treatment for their child, especially if the treatment does not have a high success rate and the cancer is almost always fatal, then I am not as sure that it should be overturned. I know, that is probably not going to be a popular statement, and it most likely would not be my decision. Still, I think that the overall picture needs to be considered, and that includes what the medical procedure is, what the risks are both ways (treatment and non-treatment), what the probable outcome would be, and what the potential side-effects could be either way. Only then can one come to an informed decision, in my opinion.

hmmm,,, in my country we got lotta things like that. we prevent our kids to or not to eat something. that's sometimes not cool. we now can provide the more scientifically reason. I think parents should consider that. We are in the global world now. So we can see, science vs belief, which one will win?

Medical professionals always need to respect their patient's faith.In case of the child's welfare,the ones who can make decissions for him\her are the parents.It is so hard to decide on the legal aspect of medical profession, because we need to respect patient's rights even if it means their right to die or a do not rescucitate order.You can still continue giving the child other treatments except blood transfusion which is contrary to their faith and just leave the rest to God.