State interference in the refusal of a Jehovah's Witness to accept a blood transfusion.
This article explores the limits of an individual's First Amendment right to exercise his or her religious beliefs in a medical context. Specifically, when can a state interfere with the decision by a Jehovah's Witness to refuse a blood transfusion? The standard which is generally applied in these cases is whether the state has a compelling interest which can override an individual's First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion.
D000328:Adult; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000592:standards*; D002648:Child; D002835:Christianity; D002961:Civil Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011247:Pregnancy; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D014481:United States