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6- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, March 23, 1999 Editorial comment Ethics at heart of court rulings The legal battle that's been fought over the fate of a young boy in Saskatchewan during the past few weeks has been a harrowing but intriguing study in societal ethics. At issue is the refusal by 13-year-old Tyrell Dueck to accept conventional chemotherapy treatment for bone cancer. The boy was follow-. ing the wishes of his parents, who eschewed the invasive treatment recommended by doctors -- they also predicted amputation of Tyrell's leg would be necessary -- and wanted to address the crisis through alternative treatments, and prayer. The province stepped in, and obtained a court ruling ordering Tyrell to undergo chemo. The parents planned to appeal. The battle was "made moot, however, by the discovery that cancer had spread to the boy's lungs. Still at issue, however, is the central question in the debate: What right does a society have to impose its will to ensure the well-being of an uncooperative individual? g The matter has been decided in varying ways. In the case of Tyrell Dueck, the court ruled he was being influenced by his funda- mentalist Christian parents, and was incapable of arriving an informed decision on his own. Yet a few years ago Manitoba's attempt to. keep an expectant mother in a detox centre against her will, to prevent her substance abuse from harming the fetus, was rejected by the courts. A constitution is tricky that way: It frees, and it encumbers. The court ruled correctly in the Dueck case. But the issue will no doubt arise again. ses iond: POF Hidston a bss wessasvuys BJ - ROOF -WALLS -FLOORS - WINDOWS - FURNACE : a REPAIRS NEEDED AT KINSMEN HALL: -DOORKNO® * ESTIMATED COST $30,0002 = Gy D6 Ng |! HAVE A MORE ECONOMICAL SoLUTioN ACME DYNAMITE | To the Editor: I would like to reply to the recent letter by P. McDermott of Port Perry, who questions the sanity of those involved with the Scugog pickerel spawning bed project. It is important to point out that there are many local people who share the feelings of Mr. McDermott. These feelings are based on what they think they know, rather than on the real facts. Fact 1: Walleye are not natural resi- dents of Lake Scugog. In fact, walleye (which is the most popular gamefish in this lake and throughout the Kawartha Lakes chain) generates literally millions of dollars for the local economies. Unfortunately, wall- lake LER project eye were actually "planted" here to enhance fisheries throughout the Kawarthas back in the early 1900s.. Fact 2: Lake Scugog actually has one of the poorest naturally occurring walleye spawning habitats in the entire Kawartha Lakes chain. Walleye require coarse substrate mate- rial with moving water flow to achieve their maximum spawning potential. The combination of course stone or large gravel and moving water keeps silt from covering the eggs, provides oxygen, carries food to the newly hatched fry, and provides a measure of protection for the eggs and newly hatched fry from predators. Lake Please turn to page 15 a a RHR TO STOLE ~ Its estimated that as many as e billion people were glued to - ir ons for the 71st my Awards telecast to keep it rolling along at the reasons | was able to hang in so long this year was due to the shortened speeches (in most cases) and the pace at which the stars accepted their "awards and were whisked away behind the incredi- r set was tuned 'bleset. But just as Cuba Gooding Jr. stole the show a few ears ago when he accepted his Oscar forBest Supporting Actor, this year it was a little Italian writ- er/actor/director who won everyone's heart. When Roberto Benigni was announced as the Oscar winner for the best foreign fim, he jumped to "the back of the seats, shaking h he made his way fo the sta ble to | emotions, Benigni babbled on in broken English and italian, obviously finding it very hard tofindthe 'words to express his delight for the honour. Although he did muster up enough unde act, able English, it was his moment of jo) to edtokisseveryone. Not long after his emotional at ig: he was called to the stage once & ning the coveted 'best actor awarc time Oscar winner Tom Hanks nos again he was overcome with smotirt a PS KEnAR ata good pace. In fact, one of ~ Ah, yes. hands and waving, as ge. Unable to control his all his English in his first speech. An obvious sign he felt he had no chance on winnin the best actor title. In accepting his award he sai down in a field and make love to everyone present'. * who least expect to win, that are usually the high- lights of the Oscars. JLT gh Sa Officially -- that's by the calendar -- spring arrived over the weekend, and although we didn't have the horrendous winter that some had predicted, it's always nice to see the end of winter. 4 If you will recall, there were forecasts that we. would have one of the worst winters in years, due mainly to the extremely long anc we had last year. So much for those who write the d- almanac and search the heavens for ways . casting future weather patt | "l just want to lie It's the spontaneous emotions of those SPRING HAS ARRIVED and enjoyable summer VE of fore- BMS, ----"g