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* After reading Cherry and Kuther, who do you think provides a stronger argument regarding the mature minor doctrine? Do you feel that certain adolescents ought to have the right to provide informed consent / informed refusal, or that parental permission ought to be required to in order to protect minors from their potentially poor choices?
* Consider the following case: Karen, a 16 year-old honors student with ulcerative colitis, has just been advised by her physician that a proctocolectomy (removal of the rectum and all or part of the colon) with a ileostomy (a surgical opening constructed by bringing the end of small intestine out onto the surface of the skin where intestinal waste is collected in an external pouch adhered to the skin) is likely the best course of action for her moving forward. Her physician stated that based on her symptoms and medical history, she is at a much higher risk of developing colorectal cancer or having one of the life-threating complications of the disease such as massive rupture of bleeding in the colon. After a few days of deliberation, Karen states that she does not want to move forward with the surgery at this this time. Based on the fact that Karen is an accomplished athlete and a budding sportswear model, Karen feels that the ileostomy will certainly end her modeling career and likely be problematic in continuing her athletic activities which she hoped would provide her with a college scholarship. Karen’s parents and her physician understand her concerns, but based on the risks of her condition, feel that surgery is the best option. When they approach Karen, she states “Who will pay for college? How will I continue to model? You don’t know what is right for me, only I can make that choice.” Based on this short case, who do you think ought to be the decision maker in this case? Do you think Karen should be considered a mature minor?
use the attached readings for the questions
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