As a person born intersexed, the medically and more socially acceptable name than the term hermaphrodite, I was the victim of doctors who believe that they know what is right for young children born with ambiguous genitalia - Surgically make them look normal. Being from the US, doctors here are actually lagging behind those in other countries and still perform needless sex altering surgeries. I know of a case where one doctor actually went against the parent's explicit wishes and "fixed" their baby.

This is just one example. Just the other day I read of a doctor who lost his license to practice in New York going to Australia where nurses were hiding patients from him.

The only value I see with a doctor is their training allows them to provide the care that I decide what I need, or if I could have had children, I still want to be the one in control. I never want to hand over my life for a doctor to do as they wish, nor do I feel anyone else should.

I started this with a joke. What is the difference between God and Doctors ? God does not believe that he is a Doctor.

Aristotle posited an ethical system that may be termed "self-realizationism". When a person acts in accordance with their nature and realizes their full potential, they will do good and be content. At birth, a baby is not a person, but a potential person. In order to become a "real" person, the child's inherent potential must be realized. Unhappiness and frustration are caused by the unrealized potential of a person, leading to failed goals and a poor life. Aristotle said, "Nature does nothing in vain." Therefore, it is imperative for persons to act in accordance with their nature and develop their latent talents, in order to be content and complete. Happiness was held to be the ultimate goal. All other things, such as civic life or wealth, are merely means to the end. Self-realization, the awareness of one's nature and the development of one's talents, is the surest path to happiness.[3]

Aristotle asserted that man had three natures: vegetable (physical), animal (emotional) and rational (mental). Physical nature can be assuaged through exercise and care, emotional nature through indulgence of instinct and urges, and mental through human reason and developed potential. Rational development was considered the most important, as essential to philosophical self-awareness and as uniquely human. Moderation was encouraged, with the extremes seen as degraded and immoral. For example, courage is the moderate virtue between the extremes of cowardice and recklessness. Man should not simply live, but live well with conduct governed by moderate virtue. This is regarded as difficult, as virtue denotes doing the right thing, to the right person, at the right time, to the proper extent, in the correct fashion, for the right reason

Of course, the medical profession CAN get things wrong - as reported cases attest. However, until most parents know more about medical ailments and care than extensively-trained professionals, we should act on the advice on the best informed.

On important matters one does not have to accept the opinion of just one medical specialist. It is perfectly in order (and sometimes recommended) to get a second or even third opinion if there is some doubt.

But the 'ethical grounds' referred to here overwhelmingly means nothing other than religious fixations. If my life hangs on a blood transfusion and I decide to refuse it because of a particular interpretation of a late bronze age compendium of myths, then that's my call - and the world would be probably be better off with one less 'religiot'!

But when it comes to the life of a child, that's an entirely different matter. The law must step in with the protection it extends to children in so many other areas of life (compulsory schooling, mandatory car harnesses, bans on underage drinking and smoking, etc.).

We would hope that both doctor and parents have the child's best interest at heart, and between them decide what is the best method to proceed. Parents may not always be well informed medically but a doctor may not have an attachment to the child, regarding medical proceedures as just another payment on that new Mercedes.

Considering that pharma kills millions of children and adults a year, i think parents should have a right to discourage medications after they have completed some research into the medicine that is being offered.

If they seek assistance then they are asking for help

No, doctors should be able to overrule the parents decision