Judge Rules Teen Unable to Refuse Chemo

2009-05-16 15:03:51 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Law, News)

Wired PR News reports a judge has ruled that the family of a teen cannot refuse chemotherapy treatments for him

A judge has declared that the family of a 13 year-old cancer patient cannot refuse chemotherapy treatments for him.

Wired PR News – A judge ruled Friday that the family of a teenager with cancer cannot refuse chemotherapy and radiation treatments for him. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), Judge John Rodenberg ruled that 13 year-old Daniel Hauser must receive a medical evaluation to determine whether the treatments would be of benefit in treating his condition.

As noted in the report, Daniel’s parents, Colleen and Anthony Hauser have objected to the treatments due to their religious beliefs, and favor alternative treatments for their son’s Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The Minnesota judge is quoted by the AP as stating that Daniel had been neglected medically by the couple and the teen had “rudimentary understanding at best of the risks and benefits of chemotherapy. … he does not believe he is ill currently. The fact is that he is very ill currently.”

If chemotherapy is determined to be a beneficial treatment, and the family refuses to abide by an order for Daniel to undergo it, then he will reportedly be placed in child protective custody.