Ashley Treatment – Planet of the Blind

No matter what you think about the controversy and the ugly debate surrounding Ashley’s case, this is still stunning, tragic news…and very sad.

Doctor at center of stunting debate kills himself

Daniel Gunther helped parents of disabled girl keep her small
By Linda Dahlstrom
SEATTLE – The doctor at the center of a controversial procedure which stunted the growth of a severely disabled girl has committed suicide.

I woke this morning and read the terrible news that Dr. Daniel Gunther committed suicide on September 30.

There are no sufficient words for grief, and no words for the mystery of human suffering. The goal of medicine and indeed, the wish behind all the arts and sciences is to advance the quality of life. I choose to believe that Dr. Gunther stood for this very principle, despite the fact that I adamantly disagree with his decision to proceed with the "Ashley Treatment".

I would also like to believe that the surgical procedure he performed on "Ashley" was, in his mind anyway, conceived as a means of alleviating human suffering. I believe that the surgical procedure was risky and that it was conducted in a most controversial manner, however, controversy can be good for social progress and disagreement is often productive in a free society. That being said, I always feel that the death of someone, particularly by suicide, diminishes us all. I grieve for his family and friends.

Oh No. Here we go again. This article was brought to my attention via a link from Femineste who already has quite a string of comments in response. Check them out.

Apparently the "Ashley Treatment" debate had not made it’s way across the Atlantic Ocean. At least there is no indication of such in this CNN article: Mother Seeks Girl’s Womb Removal

Follow the link and you find these "Story Highlights"

Mother seeks to have womb of severely disabled daughter, 15, removed
Briton wants to prevent cerebral palsy sufferer feeling pain of menstruation
UK doctors seek legal advice to see if they can perform hysterectomy
Charity for disabled says move could infringe human rights

Perhaps before a definitive decision is made on behalf of this young lady who they claim has no say, all parties might want to consult with Anne McDonald. Granted, the mother seeking to remove her daughter’s uterus is not talking about a "growth attenuation" procedure. But where does one draw the line?

Brace yourselves for another round of, shall I say, "spirited" debate.

~ Connie

Here goes:

"Ashley’s Back" by Emma;
UK Mom seeks hysterectomy for daughter with CP by Wheelie Catholic;
We Do Know Better by Penny L. Richards;
Another Assault on Human Rights by David

Tragic update as of today, October 10, 2007: "Doctor at center of stunting debate kills himself"