A.C. (Angela Carter) Cesarean Section

A 1990 Washington, D.C. case in which a cesarean section was performed over the objection of the pregnant woman (who was terminally ill and expected to die soon) and her parents, on the grounds that the fetus might be viable (the infant died). The appellate court, ruling after the fact, held that the wishes of the pregnant woman should have been determinative in such a situation except in very unusual circumstances. [Source: District of Columbia Court of Appeals, 573 A. 2d 1235 (1990).]

Principles & Concepts: human dignity, autonomy, informed consent, substituted judgment, right to life.

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