Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child's life?

Question

even if that means infringing upon the rights of another?

Answer 1

Melia, it is difficult to answer without further information. However, basically there have been many cases of going the limit for the benefit of a child against other wishes. Trust your instincts to do the right thing.

Spartawo...

Answer 2

If I was in this position, I can't tell you what I would do, but I can tell you that I would consider my decision beyond the constraint of morals.

Answer 3

This has been done.  There was a family with a young girl with Leukemia and their only hope was a bone marrow transplant which nobody in the family matched.  So the doctors suggested a sibling, which they produced another daughter and they were a perfect match.  The daughter with the Leukemia was cured and said she was eternally grateful to her baby sister.  There was even a movie about it and they were on all the talk shows.  This was a while back so I don't remember the family's name.  

Personally, I wouldn't give it a second thought.  I would do whatever it would take to take care of my son.  Plus, I would love to have another baby....so it's a win win for me.

Answer 4

This wouldn't usually happen. Usually when parents have a second child in order to save a life of the first child, it's because they need the cord blood to help.

Having a second child as a kidney or marrow match isn't a good idea and I doubt many people do it, as a match isn't guaranteed.

Answer 5

I would fight  h**l and earth for my children but would not  harm any other individual in doing so. I can only say that as a parent I would give up my life for them to survive.

Answer 6

My son died on 18th May after fighting brain tumours for 6 years he was 15. Throughout his treatments we gave him the option of being in control, i.e. he made the decisions based on the information we were given and we helped him to ask the questions he needed answers for. If a child is old enough to make these choices then lets face it it is their body their choice and however we feel we cannot go against their will. My son was a true inspiration and knowing that treatments would be painful and might not help him (although we all hoped they would) he pressed on because he said "even if it doesn't help me they might get information that will help others in the future not have to go through the same thing." If the 'other' in your case will have no pain or mental or physical problems caused then what harm can it do? But how would you feel if the treatment did not work? Would the 'other' feel the bitterness of you dissappointment or be made to feel a failure for not providing the 'cure'? Good luck with whatever you decide.

Answer 7

If this would save one of my children....yes I'd have another.....and love him/her even more.

Answer 8

First reaction due to my christian upbring is no.  However, how can anyone say how they would react if in the postion of trying to save their child?

Answer 9

I agree with Rebeka B, this kind of question completely requires anecdotal context in order to be answered properly. As in, given these parents, and these are the options, and this is their reality, and here's what would happen if they do, etc.

Is this a stem cell research question? Are you talking about LITERALLY breeding another child, giving BIRTH to them, letting them come up to a specific age, and then FARMING their organs out for the other child? Does the new child live or die?

Every variety of circumstances there has a different answer.

Answer 10

It totally depends on the situation. I mean would the child honestly be better off or will they live in a vegetated state? Who's rights would you be infringing on. Children have every right to live but sometimes if there is a horrible accident or they are really sick its better to let them live what time they have left. But if the child would be able to heal and lead a happy life then I would do whatever I could to help save them. This question is hard to answer because its so vague.

Answer 11

No.

Answer 12

I am reading a book about that very issue.  It's called "My Sister's Keeper".  It's a very good book so far.

The younger daughter resented being used for "spare parts" for the older sister.  The younger sister had to submit many times to painful procedures to help her sister.  Hard to say what you would actually do in that situation.

Answer 13

It depends on the intention and mindset of the parents.

Answer 14

this is a very sensitive issue.  That is totally up to the family.  You would want perhaps other family members to be tested to see if they can help with the child's illness.  But many people have religious faiths that do not believe in this.  I'm in the medical field and have seen people die because the family did not believe in blood transfusions because of their faith and the person died and truly a blood transfusion may well have saved their life or a transplant.  But that is up to the family and that is a personnel issue.  Everyone wants to see a child live ,but is it always best to make a child suffer and still there is no cure for them or do you keep them happy and comfortable until they die?.  It's just an issue there really is not a good answer for... It's sad when a child dies and you know without a doubt they could have been saved with medical intervention but you also have to know not everyone agrees with this whole issue.  Sometimes you just can't tell people what they are going to do with their child.

Answer 15

ask the one who's rights you infringed, when they are grown-up. That's the only way you can know.

Answer 16

Yes I think its ok, parent do anything to save their children so whats wrong in this.

Answer 17

Yes, even if the parents dont want anything done, its the child right to live,  whatever beliefs the parents have, it might not be the same for the child, xx

Answer 18

This question really needs context and more facts.  

Suppose a child needed a heart transplant.  Is it OK to have a second child solely for the purpose of harvesting a new heart and using it for child #1?  

Or suppose there is one life vest left on a sinking ship.  Do you tear it out of the hands of the single mom of 3 kids who is trying to put it on?

This is getting into "playing God" territory.