Ethical Issues In The Indiana Baby Doe Case

Indiana Baby Doe case from 1982 is one significant ethical issue that stood out from this unit. In this situation a baby was born with Down syndrome and a tracheoesophageal fistula. This means that the stomach and esophagus were not connected normally. This prevented normal feeding and swallowing, food and gastric acid would end up in the lungs causing several problems. The doctor who delivered the baby suggested that the family refuse to treat the fistula. Other medical professionals opposed this judgement, saying that a successful outcome was significantly more likely than the obstetrician told the family. The baby’s quality of life was judged not only on the anatomical problems associated with feeding but also by the fact that this baby had Down syndrome. Several medical professionals rallied to seek legal grounds to override the parent’s decision. However, the courts ruled to abide by the
A newborn is unable to advocate for his or herself. Several provisions under the Code of Ethics for Nurses are violated in these circumstances. Most fundamentally, provision 1.1, “respect for human dignity” is not satisfied. The baby in question lacks the ability to express concerns, needs, and future potential. Nurses and other members of the medical community stepped up to combat the parent’s right to refuse treatment for their child. Ignoring the child’s inherent dignity and needs, would have been a violation of this provision and the fundamental nature of the work of health care. Under provision 3.5 “acting on questionable practice”, nurses who did not advocate for the child are at fault and did not uphold the ethics that nurses abide by. Nurses must act in a manner that is in the best interest of their patients. In this case medical professionals did stand up for the child; however, in the court the parents were still able to refuse