Problem
Karen, a 7-year-old child, showed up at the ER with her parents and was diagnosed with Leukemia. The child's parents belong to a religious group that refuses blood transfusions and other medical interventions. Karen is suffering and requires immediate blood transfusion or else the likelihood that Karen will survive is very minimal.
• What are the principles of ethics that are relevant to this case.
• Are there implications of the four principles of medical ethics to Karen's case?
• Should the medical team go ahead and perform the blood transfusion against the parents' will?