There are some interesting developments regarding the rights of the citizen here in Utah. Take a look at the Parker Jensen story:
http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_231211521.html
In brief, 12 year old Parker has been diagnosed with cancer in his mouth. Doctors recommended chemotherapy that “will leave him sterile, nauseous and may stunt his growth.” The parents want a therapy for Parker other than chemo.
A judge ordered the chemotherapy, and then ordered the state to take Parker for treatment. The parents left town, taking Parker with them. The state filled charges of kidnapping, for taking their own son.
The question: who owns the citizen? Is the citizen a ward of the State? Who owns the citizen who is still a minor? The state?
I am furious by the move the State of Utah has made in regard to this case.
Let give you a close parallel as an example: In third-world countries there are thousands of children who are slowly starving to death. How would we react if we heard that one of these countries had approached the parents of the children and told them that because they could not care for their children, the State was taking them and “rehabilitating” them to work in the prostitution industry, sold as slaves, or forced to live out the remainder of their lives in a crippled shape due to forced organ donation?
The outrage would be tremendous! But how is that situation much different from the Parker Jensen case? The parents have decided that the recommended therapy is not something they want, and Parker agrees. What right does the state have to make a choice for the parents who, I believe, have the right to guardianship over their child, right or wrong as those decisions may be?
Before we muddy the water by posing situations of child abuse and neglect, please note that I am in favor of the state having the power to protect the minor in such situations when determined by a court of law. But I believe that you being able to force someone to undergo medical treatment is a different situation.
Even though this may mean the death of the child (and I pray that it does not), does the power of the state to save the life of one child outweigh the rights of the parent and the citizen? I say “No”! The court’s ruling should be struck, the judge removed, and the prosecutors fined. Those elected officials who participated in this farce should be impeached. This should never have been heard in a court of law.
The law does not have the right to tell a parent what medical treatment their child must receive. We must move to protect our rights as parents and our civil liberties as citizens.