In light of recent legislative efforts, in particular the current sb277 debate in California, it is important to understand who is really in charge of our bodies, Health, and that of our loved ones.
As the law is written right now, the patient/consumer has the ultimate say in what happens to their bodies.
That’s right. You are in charge.
The concept of informed consent has been around for ages but as individuals have become more empowered in recent generations, so has their ability to say yes or no to a great many situations.
Informed consent is a large part of the practice of western medicine but it also extends to Complementary and Alternative Medicine practice, which includes Naturopathy, Chiropractic, and Acupuncture.
Essentially it is incumbent upon the practitioner to outline all of the risks and benefits of any procedure. They must provide the detailed information in such a manner that you the consumer can understand.
Simple, right?
How often does this happen? Probably not as often as the law was intended. Then again, consumers have not exactly been clamoring for it either.
Picture your doctor telling you that you need a tetanus shot after being treated for a cut you received while outdoors. No big deal right?
You probably gave permission but did not learn why the shot, much less what to expect if the vaccination goes well or bad. You missed out on informed consent.
The marketing of medicine in recent years has focused on bringing patients into participation through slickly attractive advertising that generally downplays risks, or by scaring patients into involvement (“if you don’t do this, the consequences could be really bad”).
All the while, each and every one of us has had the power of the overriding vote. That’s right. You always have the ultimate say.
Feeling better yet?
You should. As adults, each of us has the ultimate vote whether we submit to anything that happens to our bodies. Much the better because you can expect to understand the pros and cons before making your decision.
Whether it is a massage, prescribed supplement, drug, or surgery, you should expect to hear all about the good and the bad of that prescription before deciding. If you don’t, request your information. If you don’t receive it, you have the right to decline the offer. Much to chagrin of those of us in healthcare, the patient always has the ultimate assay in receiving care.
Which brings us around to the California legislation cited above. Under the guise of protecting the public health, sb277 makes childhood vaccinations a mandatory condition for all. No exception. That is to say a series of medically invasive procedures would be mandated by the State with no informed consent.
This disturbing legislation is focused, not on vaccinations which are a series of entirely independent arguments, but on denying State residents of their right to informed consent. If legislation on one straw man can effectively deny such civil liberties, one is rightly concerned about where this can lead.
Be educated.
“No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be.“
-Isaac Asimov
You must be logged in to post a comment.