Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

I argue that Brierley et al are wrong to claim that parents who request futile treatment are acting against the interests of their child. A better ethical ground for withholding or withdrawing life-prolonging treatment is not that it is in the interests of the patient to die, but rather on grounds of the limitation of resources and the requirements of distributive justice. Put simply, not all treatment that might be in a person's interests must ethically be provided.

Original publication

DOI

10.1136/medethics-2012-100683

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Med Ethics

Publication Date

09/2013

Volume

39

Pages

583 - 584

Keywords

Medical ethics, Decision Making, Dissent and Disputes, Ethics, Clinical, Humans, Medical Futility, Resource Allocation, Withholding Treatment