Joseph saikewicz biography

Facts

In the case of Superintendent of Belchertown State School v. Saikewicz, Joseph Saikewicz, a year-old resident of the Belchertown State School in Massachusetts and profoundly mentally retarded individual, was diagnosed with acute myeloblastic monocytic leukemia, an incurable disease.

Given Saikewicz's condition, the ability to give informed consent for his treatment was compromised. The superintendent of the State school and a staff attorney petitioned for the appointment of a guardian to make decisions regarding Saikewicz's medical treatment. The guardian ad litem recommended against chemotherapy, citing the limited benefit, significant side effects, and Saikewicz's inability to understand or consent to treatment.

The Probate Court agreed and decided against administering chemotherapy, prompting an appeal.

Issue

The issue presented was whether the Probate Court had the authority to order the withholding of medical treatment from a pe The Saikewicz Decision and Patient Autonomy HYGI