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After Connecticut Teen Undergoes Chemotherapy, Questions on Informed Consent for Minors

Connecticut Public Radio | By Tucker Ives,
Lucy Nalpathanchil
Published January 22, 2015 at 9:00 AM EST
Linus Ekenstam
/
Creative Commons
The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that a 17-year-old cancer patient must continue chemotherapy treatment.

The story of Cassandra C, 17, dominated national headlines after she refused treatment for a curable cancer. The Connecticut Supreme Court agreed with a lower court decision that the Department of Children and Families can retain temporary custody of the girl, and force her to undergo chemotherapy. We hear from Cassandra's attorney about next steps for her.

We also talk with medical experts about informed consent. Should Cassandra and other minor patients like her be forced to undergo treatment?

GUESTS:

  • Joshua Michtom - Appellate attorney for Cassandra C
  • Dr. Mark Mercurio - Professor of Pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine, Director of Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital Pediatric Ethics Program and Director of BioMedical Ethics at Yale School of Medicine 
  • Jody Madeira - Professor of Law at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law

Chion Wolf contributed to this show.

Health
Tucker Ives
Tucker Ives is WNPR's morning news producer.
See stories by Tucker Ives
Lucy Nalpathanchil
Lucy leads Connecticut Public's strategies to deeply connect and build collaborations with community-focused organizations across the state.
See stories by Lucy Nalpathanchil

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Federal funding is gone.

Congress has eliminated all funding for public media.

That means $2.1 million per year that Connecticut Public relied on to deliver you news, information, and entertainment programs you enjoyed is gone.

The future of public media is in your hands.

All donations are appreciated, but we ask in this moment you consider starting a monthly gift as a Sustainer to help replace what’s been lost.

Donate