> Whatever the reason for refusal, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that “clinicians have a legal and ethical responsibility to question and, if necessary, to contest” parental medical decisions that “put the patient at significant risk of serious harm.”7 Consistent with this recommendation, the largest study of its kind found that most oncologists reject parental refusals when treatment has a 33% or greater chance of success.2

i sympathize with their frustration but letting doctors override bodily autonomy is a line i'm not willing to permit

@icedquinn
the state has a responsibility for the welfare of all its citizens. parents make decisions in place of their children, because we agree that children cannot make rational decisions. in cases where parents cannot make irrational decisions due to e.g. mental illness or their religious affiliation, the state must intervene. this power is best delegated to experts and the decision process to intervene must be guarded by courts.

@kaia @icedquinn Total ban on circumcision?

@Jens_Rasmussen @kaia religious freedom is a pretty hard rock of the USA's foundation, but we're somewhat unique about this.

europe doesn't believe in free speech or religion

@icedquinn @kaia @Jens_Rasmussen american propaganda / stupid view on the rest of the world, Europe absolutely cares about free speech and only a couple of outlier countries limit it for extreme cases. (Like openly urging to violence, which is the case in the US too.) Similarly with religion, religious freedom is treated very seriously. (Probably more than in the US, since there it's mostly a mask to let protestants do whatever they want, including where it infringes on freedom of other religions.)