Bioethics

Vera is a 21-year-old woman who has faced a series of difficult medical interventions due to serious medical issues, including kidney failure, pulmonary obstruction, diabetes, and liver disease. Vera’s doctors have determined that Vera’s lung disease requires surgery but Vera has become resistant to medical intervention. Veras parents, with whom she lives, have gotten Vera to agree to this major surgery, but in return received a promise from her parents that they would not pressure her into any other intervention. This surgery, she insisted, would be the last intrusive procedure she would undergo. It isnt worth it anymore, she says.

During the surgery Dr. S unexpectedly discovers what appears to be a malignant growth. Given the seriousness of a malignant growth, and the fact that Vera would likely reject another surgery, Dr. S decides to seek permission from Veras parents for him to remove the tumor right now while Vera is still in surgery. Her parents agree to the extension of the surgery for tumor removal, as Dr. S hoped they would.

After the surgery, Vera feels betrayed by Dr. S because she had made it known that she did not want any additional surgery. But Dr. S feels he did what he needed to do to provide the best medical care to his patient.

Were Dr. Ss actions of extending the surgery to remove the malignancy, and asking Veras parents for consent, ethically permissible?

(Please remember to cite from the readings in support of your chosen position.)