Re:Deadly Whooping Cough, Once Wiped Out, Is Back
by phren0logy on Monday August 16, 2010 @09:35PM
(#1609923)
To your second point, in some circumstances you can force someone with bipolar disorder to take a drug (Washington v. Harper) and you can force someone with a mental illness to take medication to make them competent to stand trial (Sell v. US).
Re:Deadly Whooping Cough, Once Wiped Out, Is Back
by woodall on Monday August 16, 2010 @10:57PM
(#1610088)
>in some circumstances
It is very important to note that this only applies when a defendant is a danger to self or others. You cannot force a person with bipolar disorder to take medication if they have not committed a crime, or if they are not a danger.
Both cases also deal only with persons incarcerated- as opposed to "free".
Re:Deadly Whooping Cough, Once Wiped Out, Is Back
by phren0logy on Wednesday August 18, 2010 @10:02AM
(#1614127)
False. Dr. Sell of Sell v. US was not a specific danger to others, his case deals with forced medication to restore competency to stand trial (for a serious crime) in the absence of danger to self or others. You are right, though, that he was in custody because he had been charged with a crime.
Re:Deadly Whooping Cough, Once Wiped Out, Is Back
by gamble on Monday August 16, 2010 @09:56PM
(#1609963)
Vaccines are not an entirely personal choice. Many children can't be vaccinated due to an allergic reaction, and some vaccines require a series of injections before immunity is acquired. What saves them is herd immunity. Enough people have chosen not to vaccinate that herd immunity is being lost and these kids are at risk. What about their right to life?
1: Vaccines have negative side effects, fire codes don't (except cost, but that doesn't count).
2: You can not force people to accept medical treatment. And if you change the policy you are going down a VERY slippery slope. Can you force a sex offender to take anti-testosterone injections? Can you force someone with bi-polar disorder to take a drug? What about someone with a mental illness who can not stand trial - can you forcibly medicate them?