What is the Ashley treatment and why was it undertaken?
The treatment accelerated Ashley's puberty rather than inhibit it. In girls, puberty is caused by a surge of estrogen; the Ashley treatment added estrogen so that Ashley's growth would conclude at an earlier age and a smaller size.Mar 15, 2012
Is the Ashley treatment legal?
The Hysterectomy Washington law clearly states that a court order is required when parents seek to sterilize their minor or adult children with developmental disabilities for whom they are legal guardian whether the sterilization is being sought as part of the “Ashley Treatment” or alone.
Was the Ashley treatment ethical?
The Ashley treatment is never ethically permissible, except under a framework that truly believes disabled people are not human.Mar 16, 2012
Why is the Ashley treatment unethical?
Opponents argue that the treatment and surgery are nonbeneficial because Ashley is not suffering, the treatment is untested and has potential adverse effects, and the surgery is unnecessary because there are viable options. Physicians are ethically bound to do no harm to a patient.May 1, 2013
Does Ashley have a brain?
Background. Ashley was born with a severe brain impairment of genetic cause, termed a "static encephalopathy" because it does not improve. Although she sleeps and awakens, and breathes on her own, she is unable to raise her head, sit up, hold an object, walk, or talk, and must be tube-fed.
What is growth attenuation therapy?
Growth attenuation is an elective medical treatment which involves administering estrogen to cause closure of the epiphyses of the bones (Epiphyseal plates), resulting in a reduced adult height.
What does Nonmaleficence mean in nursing?
Non-maleficence This means that nurses must do no harm intentionally. Nurses must provide a standard of care which avoiding risk or minimizing it, as it relates to medical competence. An example of nurses demonstrating this principle includes avoiding negligent care of a patient.Apr 28, 2021
Why is Ashley the pillow angel?
Nonetheless, she is alert and responsive to her environment, particularly enjoying the music of Andrea Bocelli. Her parents have nicknamed Ashley "Pillow Angel", because she always remains where she is placed, which is usually on a pillow.
What is Ashley treatment?
The Ashley Treatment refers to a controversial set of medical procedures performed on an American child, " Ash ley X ". Ashley, born in 1997, has severe developmental disabilities due to static encephalopathy; she is assumed to be at an infant level mentally, but continues to grow physically. The treatment included growth attenuation via high-dose ...
Who criticized the Ashley treatment?
In the United States, Arthur Caplan, of the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Bioethics, has criticized the Ashley Treatment in an MSNBC editorial, arguing that it is "a pharmacological solution for a social failure—the fact that American society does not do what it should to help severely disabled children and their families." Three renowned bioethicists spoke in support of the treatment and discussed different aspects of it in opinion statements presented by Scientific American.
What is Ashley treatment?
The Ashley Treatment Towards a Better Quality of Life for Pillow Angels 12 her face and tickling/bothering her, let alone menstrual cramps, adult-level bed sores, and discomfort caused by large breasts and a constricting bra.
How long does it take to have a hysterectomy?
Hysterectomy is a 1.5 hour surgery of less involvement and risk than a Fundoplication (wrapping and sewing the upper part of the stomach around the esophagus), which is commonly provided to children like Ashley to mitigate reflux and vomiting. The breast bud removal is a minor surgery with minimal risk.
Is Ashley a good girl?
Ashley is a beautiful girl; see photos below. She is expected to live a full life and was expected to attain a normal adult height and weight. Ashley’s health being in a stable condition is a blessing because many kids with similarly severe disabilities tend to deteriorate and not survive beyond five years of age.
What is the principle of respect for persons?
A basic tenet of the principle of respect for persons is that one may never be used as a means to an end or in a manner inconsistent with the person’s interests or wishes.
What is the Belmont report?
National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, The Belmont Report: Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1979: B-1.
When did eugenics stop?
Although eugenics was viewed with mounting disdain after World War II, sterilizations of persons with mental retardation continued in the United States through the 1960s, and it was still routine practice in the 1970s to allow a child with Down syndrome to die of lack of surgical correction of duodenal atresia”5.
Overview
The Ashley Treatment refers to a controversial set of medical procedures performed on an American child, "Ashley X". Ashley, born in 1997, who has severe developmental disabilities due to static encephalopathy; she is assumed to be at an infant level mentally, but continues to grow physically. The treatment included growth attenuation via high-dose estrogens, hysterectomy, bilateral breast bud removal, and appendectomy. In June 2016, after 18 years of searching, Ashle…
Background
Ashley was born with a severe brain impairment of genetic cause, termed a "static encephalopathy" because it does not improve. Although she sleeps and awakens, and breathes on her own, she is unable to raise her head, sit up, hold an object, walk, or talk, and must be tube-fed. Nonetheless, she is alert and responsive to her environment, particularly enjoying the music of Andrea Bocelli. Her parents have nicknamed Ashley "Pillow Angel", because she always remains where she is pl…
Arguments for the treatment
The parents state that they sought such treatment for the best interests of their daughter, namely, to enable them to personally continue constant care for her at home; to maximize her inclusion in family activities; to avoid the cramps and discomfort associated with menstruation; and to avoid the discomfort from large breasts (which runs in Ashley's family) while lying down or strapped in the chest area while in her wheelchair. Furthermore, they cited additional side benefits: to reduc…
Results
After a year, Ashley's parents considered her treatment a success: She will never suffer from menstrual discomfort and cramps, she will always be flat chested and avoid breast related discomfort and other issues, and with her growth plates closed, she has reached her adult height of 53 inches (135 cm, or 4 ft 5 in) and weight of 63 pounds (29 kg), an estimated reduction of her potential height and weight of 20% and 40%, respectively.
Reactions
In the United States, Arthur Caplan, of the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Bioethics, has criticized the Ashley Treatment in an MSNBCeditorial, arguing that it is "a pharmacological solution for a social failure—the fact that American society does not do what it should to help severely disabled children and their families." Three renowned bioethicists spoke in support of the treatment and discussed different aspects of it in opinion statements presented by Scientific A…
External links
• The original medical paper by Drs Gunther and Diekema from Arch Ped Adolesc Med that described the treatment and led to the media publicity.