A controversial topic based off of intersex is the rationale
behind the doctor’s choice to perform surgery on a child that is born with
ambiguous genitalia. These children do not have a choice when it comes to
deciding what’s best for them and end up having to face reality in the distant
future. From the reading, it was mentioned that a doctor decided on surgery
because they would designate these children as a medical and social emergency.
Because they would present problems on the norms of society, the doctors did
not want to give the parents and child stress on having multiple variations in
their sexual organs. Some individuals that grow up end up becoming satisfied
with their own image and the decision cannot be reversed such as Hilda Viloria.
There are other individuals like Cheryl Chase who are uncomfortable with whom
they’ve been forced to become and show their dissatisfaction with the medical
field. As stated before, the surgery is irreversible and therefore the person
cannot change who they were supposed to be which isn’t necessarily fair.
Do you think doctors should be able to influence parents on
surgery? Why/Why not?
Darren Pope
I think the burden ultimately falls on the parents. Ideally, you'd like the individual to be able to decide for them self, but it's impossible at such a young age. Just as any other medical issue for a child, or any other person incapable of making a rational decision, the decision falls on the legal guardian. If the parents feel the need to have the surgery done in the best interest of their child, they should do it only because performing the surgery at such a young age is physically less detrimental. I apply the same standards of this situation to any other infant medical issue.
ReplyDeleteDoctors are viewed, in their position of authority, as knowledgable about surgery and therefore parents are naturally going to be influenced by what the doctor has to say. However, I believe that parents should realized this biased perspective of doctors and check out the situation for themselves before making any decisions. The parents do consequently end up with that difficult situation about their child's well-being, but being informed is the best thing that they can do in making this decision.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Meghan, I think the doctors are very influential and it's the parent's job to do their research and make an informed decision. Doctors should be unbiased, which may not always be the case with this sort of controversial issue. I think that even though surgery may make the parents and society more comfortable, the child's best interest should be first priority.
ReplyDelete