If We Can, Must We? Just Whose Best Interests Are We Talking About?
If We Can, Must We? Just Whose Best Interests Are We Talking About?

Perspectives from the USA

Author(s): Vincent F. Maher
Subject(s): Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Ethics / Practical Philosophy, Religion and science
Published by: Trivent Publishing
Keywords: Charlie Gard; Alfie Evans; Jahi McMath; Best Interests;paediatric palliative care; paediatrics; medical ethics; social media
Summary/Abstract: The recent and tragic cases of Charlie Gard and Alfie Evans, each in the UK, and Jahi McMath in the USA, are proof positive that decisions made by individual clinicians or by teams in conference rooms or even in directives issued from the Court are neither immutable nor unchangeable. This chapter examines conflicts between clinicians and families, the role of social media and of the courts and concludes with recommendations about how to proceed in future similar cases.

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