| Abstract: | The authors draw on Kipnis' experiences in the clinical presentation of ethical problems arising in a newborn intensive care unit to analyze substantive criteria for decisions to stop life prolonging treatment and to determine the limits of parental authority to decide for nontreatment. They identify three decisions--treatment obligatory, treatment discretionary, and nontreatment obligatory--and apply the criteria of patient burdens and capability for a subjectively valuable life to each. Kipnis and Williamson consider parental authority to be a custodial role which should be assumed by others if the parents are unable or unwilling to secure for the child a subjectively valuable life. |
