RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Medical ethics for children: applying the four principles to paediatrics
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 141
OP 145
DO 10.1136/jme.2006.018747
VO 34
IS 3
A1 P Baines
YR 2008
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/34/3/141.abstract
AB I will argue that there are difficulties with the application of the four principles approach to incompetent children. The most important principle – respect for autonomy – is not directly applicable to incompetent children and the most appropriate modification of the principle for them is not clear. The principle of beneficence – that one should act in the child’s interests – is complicated by difficulties in assessing what a child’s interests are and to which standard of interests those choosing for children should be held. A further problem with the four principles approach is that parental authority does not follow clearly from the four principles.