Baby Doe committees: a critical evaluation.
The origin, assumptions, functions, goals, similarities, and differences of infant ethics committees (IECs) are reviewed. Effectiveness of IECs is assessed through examination of cases involving parental refusal of treatment, and parental insistence on treatment. Specific steps for better facilitating committee goals are suggested.
Mahowald
M B
MB
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
D028741:Ethics Committees, Clinical; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005065:Euthanasia; D005066:Euthanasia, Passive; D035082:Federal Government; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011379:Prognosis; D014481:United States; D028761:Withholding Treatment