Science vs Religion

What is your opinion on the recent seizure by the BC government of three of the surviving sextuplets to give them blood transfusions? Was it justified? Does the parents' choice of religion and beliefs prevail over the possibility that some of the children might die? Is this a black and white situation, or is there room for alternatives?

A short summary is this, the parents are Jehovah's Witnesses whose religion forbids the consumption of blood products, which includes blood transfusions. The sextuplets are 15 weeks premature and weighed in around 2.2lbs. Their chances of survival were slim. Two have since died, and the remaining children are in the care of their parents. A short while ago, the BC government seized three of the children and performed blood transfusions in order to keep them alive. The parents are now waging a battle against the BC government to ensure that this does not happen again.

This case is very similar to another case that took place here in Alberta. She died in September 2002.

These situations are very troubling. Primarily because they involve the lives of children, minors, who arguably are not in a position to understand the full implications of their choices. The Alberta girl, Bethany, was 17 at the time of her death. It is possible that she understood the full consequences of her refusal to undergo blood transfusions. It is also arguable that even after forcibly receiving blood transfusions, she died, making it possible that even with such treatment, the end result is inevitable.

The sextuplets, however, are not even close to such a situation, where they have had time to make a choice on religion, and whether or not their beliefs coincide with those of their parents. What if the children decide that being a Jehovah's Witness is not for them? What if they choose to accept blood transfusions despite their parents' protestations? These are babies, infants even, who cannot currently choose for themselves what is in their best interests. It is thus up to the parents to decide what to do.

I disagree with the parents, that religion and possibly eternal damnation, are more important than survival. I cannot understand what kind of God would want children to die because modern medicine is in conflict with a set of ancient beliefs. It is therefore up to the government of British Columbia to do what is necessary to keep these children alive and well until they can decide for themselves.

What kinds of parents would risk the lives of their children because of their beliefs? What kind of parents would allow their children to die without doing anything other than praying for their souls? What kind of parents would put their own beliefs before the lives of their children? I just don't understand how this can happen. I urge the BC government to continue to fight for the lives of these children, to ensure their well-being, and to make sure that they have a fighting chance at life, without the misguided beliefs of their parents.