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. 1982 Dec;72(12):1396-400.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.72.12.1396.

Parental rights, child welfare, and public health: the case of PKU screening

R R Faden, N A Holtzman, A J Chwalow

Parental rights, child welfare, and public health: the case of PKU screening

R R Faden et al. Am J Public Health. 1982 Dec.

Abstract

KIE: The right of parents to refuse consent for phenylketonuria (PKU) screening is discussed in terms of moral justifications. The authors take the position that the primary function of a parental consent requirement is to protect children's welfare. In the case of PKU screening, the intervention poses minimal risk of harm while refusal of screening poses a significant risk to the child. Therefore, the principle of preventing harm overrides the parental right to refuse PKU screening.

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References

    1. Va Law Rev. 1976 Mar;62(2):285-330 - PubMed
    1. Yale Law J. 1977 Mar;86(4):645-70 - PubMed
    1. Am J Public Health. 1982 Dec;72(12):1347-52 - PubMed

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