The Scenario:

A mother and father have a eight year old daughter (Ashley). Ashley becomes very sick, in fact, deathly sick. This disease however, is easily curable by modern medicine.

The Problem:

The parents belong to a religion that does not believe in modern medicine

The questions:

• Should the parents be allowed to force their beliefs upon the child, therefore not allowing Ashley to have the medical treatment science believes is necessary?

• If the parents do deny medical treatment, and Ashley dies, should they be criminally liable? Civily? Both?

• If Ashley asks for a doctor, do the parents have the right to deny the request?

• If someone (the cops perhaps) takes the Ashley to the doctor other than the parents, and the parents are present saying they do not want treatment, should the hospital be allowed to treat Ashley despite the parents objections if they think she is in serious threat of dying?

TIA for all thoughts and comments.