Vasectomy on Mentally Disabled Man to be Performed Even Without His Consent

A mentally disabled man with a mental age of six for whom it is best not have children, but is not in a position to give his consent to a vasectomy, should ideally be allowed to undergo the procedure as it is in his best interests, a British court ruled for the first time in its history. The man in question, known as DE, is 36-year-old father of one child. He does not want to have any more children and one cannot trust that he will use contraception.

In a relationship with another disabled girl, the couple had quite a troubled time with the accidental pregnancy and the birth of their first child. Even though both of them are now living with their respective parents, even a chance meeting could lead to another accidental pregnancy, as both are not in a position to decide about contraception.

This has been the first ruling of its kind where Mrs. Justice Eleanor King gave the approval to the local health trust to allow surgery and save him from “psychological harm”.

She said: “I have reached the conclusion that a vasectomy is undoubtedly in DE’s best interests.”



Source-Medindia