Who Should Survive

Duration: 33

Format: 16mm

Color: Color

Description: Examines the true case of a mongoloid baby born with an intestinal blockage which could be repaired surgically but whose parents do not want the burden of a retarded child and refuse to permit the operation. Explains that the surgeon agrees not to challenge the decision of the courts, the hospital does not overrule him, and the infant is put in a side room and dies 15 days later. Recreates the situation with the actual doctors and nurses playing their true roles. Discusses the ethical, legal, and scientific dilemmas with a panel including Mrs. Sydney Callahan, mother, psychologist, author and columnist; Robert E. Cooke, M.D.; Reverend John Fletcher; William Curran, Ph.D., professor of legal medicine; and Renee Fox, Ph.D., professor of sociology.

Complete Record: , Examines the true case of a mongoloid baby born with an intestinal blockage which could be repaired surgically but whose parents do not want the burden of a retarded child and refuse to permit the operation. Explains that the surgeon agrees not to challenge the decision of the courts, the hospital does not overrule him, and the infant is put in a side room and dies 15 days later. Recreates the situation with the actual doctors and nurses playing their true roles. Discusses the ethical, legal, and scientific dilemmas with a panel including Mrs. Sydney Callahan, mother, psychologist, author and columnist; Robert E. Cooke, M.D.; Reverend John Fletcher; William Curran, Ph.D., professor of legal medicine; and Renee Fox, Ph.D., professor of sociology.NOTE: Two (or more) records have been merged together to create this data.