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Science/Tech
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Title: The Mysteries of Mental Age (The parents of a severely disabled 9-year-old Seattle girl have stunted her growth)
Source: [None]
URL Source: http://www.wired.com/news/technolog ... /0,72569-0.html?tw=wn_index_13
Published: Feb 8, 2007
Author: Randy Dotinga
Post Date: 2007-02-08 15:06:22 by Jethro Tull
Keywords: None
Views: 269
Comments: 15

By Randy Dotinga

02:00 AM Feb, 07, 2007

The parents of a severely disabled 9-year-old Seattle girl have stunted her growth and had her breasts and uterus removed in what they say is an effort to keep her comfortable, happy and portable. She does, after all, have the mind of a three-month-old baby.

Or does she?

No one is arguing that an intellectual mind is hidden inside the now-famous girl known only as "Ashley." But determining mental age is not a precise science. While assigning a mental age may give Ashley's parents some comfort, determining that number is based largely on guesswork.

"How do we know how a three-month-old thinks? We don't," said Cory Silverberg, a sexuality counselor who works with disabled people. "We know the observable output of their cognitions. And we guess. True, they are educated guesses, but I'd rather not mutilate a girl on the basis of an educated guess."

Ashley's unique case caused a media uproar last month, and her parents attracted much criticism for her medical treatment. Still, an ethics board at Seattle Children's Hospital approved the therapy, leaving the public and many ethicists to wonder how the board made its decision.

The hospital did not respond to requests for comment for this story

- Snip


Poster Comment:

Real tough call, but if she does in fact have the mental capacity of a three-month-old, based on the best science available to us, I agree with the parents decision.

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#1. To: Jethro Tull (#0)

Ashley cannot hold a toy, sit up or speak, according to her parents

i would say that's a pretty good determiner of ashley's mental age. i agree with you. it was a tough call, but imagine her having an adult body with all the problems and, most likely, much discomfort she'd have to endure. thank god for our healthy children.

christine  posted on  2007-02-08   15:40:21 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#2. To: christine, all (#1)

I can't see why anyone would expect parents, who are already dealing with tragedy on a daily basis, should be asked to take on the additional burden of caring for an infant trapped in an adult body. Their ticket to heaven is already punched IMO, but I'm sure some would disagree.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2007-02-08   16:12:57 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#3. To: Jethro Tull, christine (#2)

I can't see why anyone would expect parents, who are already dealing with tragedy on a daily basis, should be asked to take on the additional burden of caring for an infant trapped in an adult body. Their ticket to heaven is already punched IMO,

This is so sad for all involved.

I can't blame the parents at all due to exactly what you stated. One has to remember, before judging, that [most likely] were it not for the advances in science, that whatever god one believes in would have taken her soon after birth. They can still give her as happy a life as a 3 month old could expect without the extra problems associated with the adult body; in fact, I would say a happier one.

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition




In a CorporoFascist capitalist society, there is no money in peace, freedom, or a healthy population, and therefore, no incentive to achieve these - - IndieTX

In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act - - George Orwell

IndieTX  posted on  2007-02-08   17:10:24 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#4. To: Jethro Tull (#0)

These parents sicken me, they want a pet, not a daughter.

I'm a pussy, I've never had an operation, but I imagine I wouldn't like it one bit.

sometimes there just aren't enough belgians

Dakmar  posted on  2007-02-10   14:20:42 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#5. To: Jethro Tull (#0)

One would think in the age of science we live in, there would be NO birth defects. They're able to do all kinds of shit to prolong and improve life expectancy, one would guess that we should be able to wipe out retardation and developmental problems in the womb.

Think of the lack of suffering we'd have if we had eliminated birth defects and mental disorders.

We'd have a free country, not to mention our leaders wouldn't be so fucking laughable.

This country's priorities are all fucked up.

TommyTheMadArtist  posted on  2007-02-10   14:23:21 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#6. To: Dakmar (#4)

It's not that, it's the daily care. I'm not saying I agree with what they've done, but I can understand how caring for a small person is easier than for a large one.

Those who make you believe in absurdities can make you commit atrocities. – Voltaire

robin  posted on  2007-02-10   14:24:18 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#7. To: robin (#6)

Don't make me post chinese foot-taping picture...

sometimes there just aren't enough belgians

Dakmar  posted on  2007-02-10   14:25:37 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#8. To: Jethro Tull (#0)

I could possibly see having her uterus removed but her breasts?? that to me is despicable.. extremely painful for one thing..

Zipporah  posted on  2007-02-10   14:26:21 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#9. To: Dakmar (#7)

Foot binding to cripple/hobble women to insure their obedience (like not running away), is not the same thing! The daily care of an incontinent patient is no easy task, made more difficult with every pound.

Those who make you believe in absurdities can make you commit atrocities. – Voltaire

robin  posted on  2007-02-10   14:28:17 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#10. To: TommyTheMadArtist (#5)

Think of the lack of suffering we'd have if we had eliminated birth defects and mental disorders.

They can do sex-change operations for weirdos, yet very little is done to prevemt weirdos.

Something like that... :)

sometimes there just aren't enough belgians

Dakmar  posted on  2007-02-10   14:28:54 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#11. To: Zipporah (#8)

I dunno what that was about either.

Those who make you believe in absurdities can make you commit atrocities. – Voltaire

robin  posted on  2007-02-10   14:29:06 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#12. To: Zipporah (#8)

I could possibly see having her uterus removed but her breasts?? that to me is despicable.. extremely painful for one thing..

C'mon, can't someone find a copy of Bowies "China Doll"?

sometimes there just aren't enough belgians

Dakmar  posted on  2007-02-10   14:31:14 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#13. To: robin (#9)

Foot binding to cripple/hobble women to insure their obedience (like not running away), is not the same thing! The daily care of an incontinent patient is no easy task, made more difficult with every pound.

That doesn't give you the right to prune them.

sometimes there just aren't enough belgians

Dakmar  posted on  2007-02-10   14:32:31 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#14. To: Dakmar (#13)

Perhaps not.

Those who make you believe in absurdities can make you commit atrocities. – Voltaire

robin  posted on  2007-02-10   14:34:39 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#15. To: robin (#11)

I dunno what that was about either.

Disgusting if you ask me.. also the stunting of her growth ..WTF is that?

Zipporah  posted on  2007-02-10   14:34:48 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


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