As in many ethical debates, however, there are a number of “grey areas” where absolute pronouncements are difficult to make. For instance, parents may seek surgery on behalf of their children for “bat ears”. Surgery of this type is often claimed as being “in the best interest of the child” because, allegedly, a child with protruding ears will be prone to teasing in school. This argument, however, is specious and represents a projection onto the child of parental anxieties over conformity. Teasing is not a medical problem. Likewise, such surgery has no medical value, and, if performed, necessarily violates the human rights of the child.
Tipo de fuente
0
Autor
F. M. Hodges, J. S. Svoboda, R. S. Van Howe
Título de la fuente
Prophylactic interventions on children: balancing human rights with public health