This letter is associated with the following article:
Letters
Friday, February 9, 2007 12:00 AM

Behind the Pillow Angel

Doctors at the Seattle hospital that operated on a disabled girl to keep her from reaching sexual maturity -- the controversial "Ashley Treatment" -- were more troubled by the procedure than has been reported previously.

Read other letters about this article

  • Thursday, February 8, 2007 10:25 PM

    "No more organized effort at medical ethics"?

    Ms. Johnson, if you don't think an ethics committee comprised of 18 professional and community members who took the time to hear out Ashley's parents, meet her, and spend at least 2 hours in discussions of her case not an organized effort, I can't imagine what would be. Did you even think about what you wrote?

    As a physician, I think Ashley's parents should be commended for taking the necessary steps to safeguard their daughter against a number of dangers. Primarily the one of becoming too physically large for them to care for, and hence having to be cared for by a steady stream of strangers.The difficulties inherent in developing a fully sexually mature body in the setting of a hopelessly infantile mind has been avoided as well. Now, she need never experience sexual assault, pregnancy, menstrual cramps, and has no need of invasive, frightening screening tests. I applaud her caregivers' creativity and courage.

    As for the "slippery slope" thinkers, better hope that if you or your loved ones are ever in even remotely similar situations the decision makers are more open-minded, rational, and logical.

    This is just another case where people who have no standing to comment on a situation feel they have a right to chime in. I call it "Fristian medicine" and it should be stopped in its tracks.

Most Active Letters Threads

426

A key British official reminds us of the forgotten anthrax attack

A vast array of establishment and expert sources do not believe this episode was really resolved.
412

The crazy, irrational beliefs of Muslims

Tom Friedman explains the real problem: stupid Muslims think the U.S. is about war and aggression.
210

Is Obama's civil liberties record understandable?

Was it unreasonable to expect him to adhere to his commitments regarding the Constitution?
111

How dare you criticize wasteful defense spending!

So you think it's only terrorist-appeasing lefties who are down on Pentagon profligacy? Think again
60

Police to talk to Woods

Early morning crash raises questions, and revives tabloid speculation

View all »

Letters Help

Currently in Salon