Essay On Redefining The Age Of Medical Decisions To 21

When it comes to the subject of drinking and teenagers, what is the first thing that comes to mind? To me it's the legal age limit of when teens should be able to drink. Having it lowered is controversial because according to prior experiences, data shows that younger age drinking is well known for its fatalities. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), "on one of the most popular prom nights in 1999, as many as 62 percent of the traffic deaths were alcohol-related" (). The most important question is whether or not the drinking age anywhere in the United States should be lowered, raised or if it should stay the same. Statistics prove that the legal drinking age should remain at the age of twenty-one in the United States.

In current times, children are not getting infected with diseases in order to find curative vaccines, but they are being made part of clinical trials for studies of genetic screening, the enrollment of healthy children in studies of sibling bone marrow donation, and the use of hypothermia for neonates with asphyxia (Laventhal, Tarini & Lantos, 2012). These trial studies have become ethical dilemmas in pediatrics for various reasons, people believe that there are not strong enough regulations for these trials and also that children are not given the opportunity to make their own decisions, most of the time, because children are underage, parents are the ones who make the decision of making their children part of these studies. Current regulations for pediatric clinical trials only require the consent of one parent, unless they are high level risk trials, in which case both parents needs to give approval and the child must also assent. The issue of children given assent for high risk trials is controversial because how do we know that the children really understand the risks that are associated with the trials, do they fully understand that they could possibly get hurt and sometimes their lives can be in danger.

The ethical issues involved in this topic include age limits, medical ethics, informed consent, and autonomy. It is unethical and immoral to allow adolescents to make their own medical decisions, because the judgment and capacity to make coherent decisions is unstable. However, adolescents should be involved and have a voice in the process of decision making, nonetheless I believe that the concluding medical decision should be made by the guardian and the doctor. An adolescent is between the ages of thirteen and nineteen. Society permits the legal determination of decision making for health care at the age of eighteen years. It is very important to consider developmental issues which will influence both reasoning and information processing, the brain not being fully developed causes a sense of a lost identity, and low self esteem challenges adolescents to develop a logical decision. An adolescent brain is not yet fully developed, the lack of grey matter and an

Teenagers are not responsible enough for MLDA to be lowered. There are many risks to what could happen if the drinking age

In regards to informed consent, the mature minor doctrine requires the physician or other healthcare provider to make determinations on a case by case basis. The physician should employ the same criteria used to determine the ability of an adult to consent whose decisional

In Australia when a person hits eighteen, he or she is considered an adult in the eyes of the government. Being an adult, according to the government, means one is mature enough to vote, buy cigarettes and property, sign up for the army, and drink alcohol. I believe that the legal drinking age should be raised to twenty-one. Alcohol consumption in Australia started at an annual high point of about fourteen litres of pure alcohol per person in the eighteen thirties. It reduced to about six litres a year during the economic downturn in the eighteen nineties. Before nineteen seventy Western Australia drinking age was twenty-one.

Consent for medical treatment is based on three legal ideals: the patient must be informed to make a decision, the patient cannot be intimidated into making a decision, and the patient must be competent (McCabe). In 1982, a study was held by Weithorn and Campbell showing the competency of four age groups (9,14,18, and 21 years-old) based on questions from the ideals aforementioned. The study concluded that fourteen year-olds’ competence and adult are analogous, while nine year-olds could partake in discussions based off of their treatment (Weithorn). The study conducted by Weithorn and Campbell, not only displays competence, but also the ability to comprehend the possible outcomes, and determine the importance of these possible outcomes relative to their own lives. With studies showing that at the age of fourteen the decisional capacity (prefrontal cortex) of the human brain is equal to that of an eighteen year-old, the legal age of consent must be lowered to fourteen years of age.

Although all citizens are protected the by the United States Constitution, minors are categorized as a special group; preventing them from making decisions without their guardian’s consent. Thus, under the parameters set by the Constitution, at the age of sixteen, Wendy should not be permitted to refuse chemotherapy treatment. Contrarily, in some states, if Wendy establishes her independence from her parents or at least is able to demonstrate a high level of maturity, she may be allowed to dictate her medical treatment (Mernikoff, 2001).

It is important to first identify what rights that minors do have when it comes to their medical decisions and care. In every state, statutes regarding minor’s permission to consent for medical care depends on the child’s“status,” or on the “service” that they are seeking. Status in which a minor under the age of 18 can consent to medical care include cases in which a minor may be

In the United States when a person reaches eighteen they are considered an adult in the eyes of the law. Being an adult in the eyes of the law means mature enough to vote, buy cigarettes, be charged as an adult for crime, even enlist for the Military. The law says an eighteen-year-old is mature enough to make life-altering choices, but is not yet ready to consume or purchase alcohol (“Drinking Age is 21 For a Reason”). There has been an ongoing controversy in the United States on whether the drinking age should be depressed to eighteen like most of the world has it or if it should remain at twenty-one. In our society today, this topic has caused much of a stir due to its major controversy when in all actuality the answer is clear; the legal drinking age should be lowered.

Discussions arise among Americans in regards to changing the drinking age to 18. Is this a good idea, or are we just trying to accommodate for the way we treat young adults? Several studies show that when the drinking age is 21, older adults are happier about it. “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that National Minimum Drinking Age of 21 decreased the number of fatal traffic accidents for 18- to 20-year-olds by 13% and saved approximately 27,052 lives from 1975-2008” (ProCon.org). With information as previously stated, it is in good reason that we changed the drinking age to 21, and that we should keep it that way.

Alcohol is almost everywhere in the US. You see it on the shelves at stores, or maybe in your parent’s refrigerator. People of many ages drink, and the minimum legal drinking age is 21. However, some people say that the age should be lowered, while others say it should stay the same. The legal drinking minimum drinking age shouldn’t be lowered from 21, because it’s dangerous for the brain, the younger generations would be affected, and the age of 21 lowers the amount of traffic incidents.

The Negative disagrees with a passion the resolved “Adolescents ought to have the right to make autonomous medical choices.” Definitions will play a vital role within this debate as they themselves could be debated. I shall now attempt to provide objective and fair definitions. Adolescents is the “age which follows puberty and precedes the age of majority according to Black 's Law Dictionary. This vague definition gives way to the World Health Organization’s definition that states adolescents as “young people between the ages of 10 and 19 years.” But within the confides of the United States Justice System “you are a minor under the guardianship of your parents” until the age of 18 again according to the Black’s law dictionary. So for the sack of debate we will define adolescents as being any person between the ages of 10-17 beginning at the average age of puberty and ending before the individual becomes a legal adult under full constrains of the law. Ought is defined by Merriam Webster dictionary as to express obligation or natural expectation. To have the right is defined by Black’s Law dictionary as “A term applied to rights, privileges, and immunities enjoyed by all citizens EQUALLY and in common, and which have their foundation in the COMMON LAW. Autonomy is the “personal rule of the self that is free from both controlling interferences by ANY other party and from personal limitations that prevent meaningful choice,” according to University of California San

There should not be interference from parents, doctors, or the legal system if a minor does not want a specific type of treatment. All that should be done for the minor is to make sure that they understand the possible risks of forgoing treatment. Autonomy and justice are the ethical principles that should be applied to this policy. Autonomy is the right to making informed and rational decisions (Bioethic Tools). If the patient is aware of the possible dangers of not getting certain medical attention and is a competent individual and they still refuse, then their autonomy should be respected. Justice is the right to being treated fairly and equally (Bioethic Tools). If a minor if forced to undergo any type of medical procedure simply because they are minors who supposedly cannot make decisions without the help of adults is injustice. Everyone should be treated fairly and equally regardless of age. Any medical treatment that is unwanted by a patient and is performed anyway is a violation of their rights and is extremely

There are many legal and ethical situations that healthcare providers will be faced with when providing medical treatment to either a child or an elderly adult. While there is often much discussion regarding the elderly and do not resuscitate orders, there are often times when the decisions for health care of a child may be overlooked. Some of the legal issues that may be faced by healthcare professionals are informed consent, confidentiality, reproductive services and child abuse. Patients have the right to decide what is done to their own bodies, but for children under eighteen, their parents decide for them. A major issue faced by healthcare professionals is parental refusal for treatment. Healthcare providers will be faced with many conflicting ethical and legal situations regarding refusal of a minor’s healthcare and treatment. These issues