Question

Alice Nuvo does not want to be treated. She has a pancreatic cancer and is given only a 5% chance of surviving beyond one year. Dr. Lupe wants to treat her with radiation and drugs and other drugs to control the pain. Dr. Lupe advises that the prognosis is based on statistics and averages and there is a chance Alice could do well. Alice says: "Just give me something to control the pain and let me go home." Should Dr. Lupe continue to urge Alice to have the treatments? Should Alice be forced to undergo the treatments? How would someone respond to this situation using the ethical principles of: (Respond using the principles of the ethical tradition for your group RAWLISM ?

Answer 1

All patients who are mentally sound and is an adult has the right to take decision regarding their medical treatment.This is based on the principle of autonomy .Here the Dr. cannot force or urge the patient to take treatment.

According to Rawls the health is a basic aspect which everyone has to achieve in equal justice. Here the Dr. is trying to make the patient use the medical advancement atleast to get a justice to treat her condition on the grounds of morality. Besides this it is solely the patient wish to make the decision.