ETHICAL ASPECTS OF JUDGING THE ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT OF CHILDREN WITHCANCER

In recent decades the improved treatment of childhood cancer has incre ased the proportion of children being cured. However, the intensive tr eatment required also implies a heavy burden for the children and thei r families. The purpose of this article is to judge the ethical aspect s of different treatment regimens used for children with cancer by mea ns of a case study. The analysis is based on the ethical model by Beau champ and Childress. The assessment is based on every person, or group of persons, involved and is on the principles of autonomy, nonmalefic ence, beneficence and justice. The analysis shows that intensification of treatment of children with cancer is ethically justified from a de ontological point of view. The consequences are more difficult to anti cipate from a utilitarian perspective.