Morality & Ethics with the "Pillow Angel"

[MysticCat]

I heard an interview with Dr. Diekema, the ethicist at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle referred to in the article who was on the committee that approved the procedures. ("Dr. Douglas Diekema, an ethicist at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle, where Ashley was treated, said he met with the parents and became convinced they were motivated by love and the girl's best interests.")

He said much the same in the interview -- that he went in with many reservations, that he and the rest of the committee were very impressed with the care the parents gave Ashley, that the committee was convinced that the parents were motivated completely by Ashley's interests and not their own, and that the committee's decision was based on the circumstances of this particular case that might or might not be applicable in other cases.