- Title: Dispatches: Case Of F
- Date: 1st March 1989
- Summary: THIS WEEK THE HOUSE OF LORDS IS CONSIDERING AN APPEAL IN THE CASE OF "F", A MENT ALLY HANDICAPPED 35 YEAR OLD WOMAN WITH A MENTAL AGE OF 4. HER MOTHER WANTS HER TO BE STERILISED AS SHE IS SEXUALLY ACTIVE AND COULD FACE AN UNSUITABLE PREGNAN CY. THERE IS LEGAL DOUBT AS TO WHETHER DOCTORS CAN PERFORM THE OPERATION. "DIS PATCHES" ASKS THE QUESTIONS WHICH THE COURTS HAVE NOT ADDRESSED. DOES "F" HAVE THE RIGHT TO REPODUCE, A RIGHT NOT BE STERILISED WITHOUT HER CONSENT? ARE THE "BEST INTERESTS" WHICH THE COURTS CONSIDER REALLY THE "BEST INTERESTS" OF "F", O R THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO CARE FOR HER? WHO SHOULD DETERMI NE A MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSON'S BEST INTERESTS - THE COURTS, THE PARENTS, OR THE DOCTORS? IF AN ENFORCED STERILISATION IS ALLOWED IN THIS CASE, IN WHAT OTHE R CASES WILL IT BE PERMITTED? DISPATCHES INCLUDES INTERVIEWS WITH LEADING OBSTE TRICIAN POETER HUNTINGFORD AND IAN KENNEDY, PROFESSOR OF MEDICAL LAW & ETHICS.
- Description:A GENERIC TITLE FOR A SERIES OF ONE-OFF COMMISSIONS,DEVELOPMENTS AND PURCHASES.
- Broadcaster:Channel 4
- Collection: Channel 4
- Genre:Documentary and Factual
- Producer:Mirageland
- Programme Episode:Episode 1
- Transmission Date:01/03/1989
- Rights:On Request
- Decade: 1980s