The relation between autonomy-based rights and profoundly mentally disabled persons.
A chapter from his forthcoming book "Deciding for the Profoundly Mentally Disabled," Professor Norman Cantor argues persuasively for the right of incompetent persons to have a surrogate make critical medical decisions on their behalf, particularly in the context of refusing life-sustaining treatment. While abusive surrogate decision-making is always a concern, Professor Cantor recommends both substantive and procedural protections in order to preserve intrinsic human dignity for the profoundly disabled.
Cantor
Norman L
NL
Rutgers University School of Law, Newark, USA.
D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D007872:Legal Guardians; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D020458:Third-Party Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*