@article {Lawlor748, author = {Rob Lawlor}, title = {Cake or death? Ending confusions about asymmetries between consent and refusal}, volume = {42}, number = {11}, pages = {748--754}, year = {2016}, doi = {10.1136/medethics-2016-103647}, publisher = {Institute of Medical Ethics}, abstract = {In this paper, I will argue that much of the debate concerning asymmetries between consent and refusal (eg, in a case in which an adolescent is granted a right to consent to treatment, but not a right to refuse treatment) is confused. My aim in this paper is to highlight nuances and ambiguities, and to emphasise the fact that we are not just addressing a puzzle about one asymmetry between consent and refusal. I will show that there are a number of relevant asymmetries, not just the asymmetry of competence. And even if we focus specifically on the asymmetry of competence, we need to recognise that {\textquoteleft}asymmetry of competence{\textquoteright} is ambiguous. By clarifying these issues, my aim is to end the confusion that is common in this debate, allowing us to make progress on an issue that has previously been considered puzzling.}, issn = {0306-6800}, URL = {https://jme.bmj.com/content/42/11/748}, eprint = {https://jme.bmj.com/content/42/11/748.full.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Medical Ethics} }