HI I AGREE WITH MARIA ON THIS ONE. I WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES FOR 17 YEARS AND I FEEL THAT A PARENT MUST STILL BE ABLE TO DECIDE TILL THEY ARE AT LEAST 18. THERE ARE SOME KIDS AT AGE OF 14 THAT IS IMMATURE TO MAKE THESE TYPES OF DECISIONS. ANY WAY IF THEY RULE FOR THE 12 YEAR OLD KIDS TO MAKE THESE TYPE OF DECISIONS? ALL OF OUR DOCTORS MUST GO AND STUDY CHILD BEHAVIOR COURCES TO BE ABLE TO SEE IF CHILD UNDERSTANDS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IF HE DOES REFUSE THE TREATMENT AND WHEL MAYBE WE WOULD HAVE KIDS WITH CHEQUE ACCOUNTS SOON

So who will decide if the 12 year olds are "of sufficient maturity and mental capacity to understand the benefits, risks and social implications of the operation"? At that age, and for several years thereafter, they are incapable of thinking about the future in anything other than fairly immediate terms. Let's say there is a hypothetical 12 year old with some knee problem. An operation must be done now, before he grows any more, otherwise he might be in a wheelchair by the age of 30. At 12 years old 30 sounds ancient, on the brink of the grave. 6 weeks in a cast sounds terribly long and unpleasant. Now young teen will consent to such a procedure. It is a parent's job and privilege to make important decisions like this on behalf of their kids.