Report on the Controversial Role of Dr. Michael Holick in Child Abuse Cases
Background
In September 2016, Jenn Thompson and Robbie Ray discovered they were expecting twins. The pregnancy was unplanned, but they were ready to start a family. They married five months later and prepared for their new life with twins, a boy and a girl, who arrived by C-section.
The Incident
Over Memorial Day weekend, when the twins were 3 weeks old, family members noticed the girl seemed fussy and had difficulty breathing. Days later, Jenn noticed swelling and bruising on the baby’s right leg and took her to the emergency room. An X-ray revealed the baby’s leg was broken in two places. The hospital staff then examined the other twin and found a fracture in his left leg and bruising on his back. The twins were taken into state custody on suspicion of child abuse.
Investigation and Diagnosis
Jenn and Robbie were accused of abuse, but they sought help from Dr. Michael Holick, a professor at Boston University’s medical school. Holick has consulted or testified in over 300 child-abuse cases, often diagnosing children with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a rare genetic disorder that he believes can cause bone fragility in children. However, his theory is not widely supported by scientific literature.
Controversy Surrounding Dr. Holick
Many geneticists and bone specialists are concerned about Holick’s near-100% diagnosis rate of EDS in the cases he examines. Critics argue that his testimony often lacks scientific support and that he may be helping alleged abusers avoid accountability. Despite this, Holick’s credibility is bolstered by his extensive research on vitamin D and his role as an expert witness in court.
Impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages (SDG 3)
- Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls (SDG 5)
- Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development (SDG 16)
Conclusion
The role of Dr. Michael Holick in child abuse cases raises significant questions about medical ethics, the reliability of expert testimony, and the protection of children’s rights. The controversy underscores the need for rigorous scientific evidence in court proceedings and highlights the challenges in achieving certain Sustainable Development Goals related to health, gender equality, and justice.
Correction
Note: An earlier version of this report stated that Dr. Michael Holick has tenure. This has been corrected to reflect that Boston University’s medical school does not grant tenure.
Analysis of the Article
SDGs Addressed in the Article
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Specific Targets Under the SDGs
- Target 3.2: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.
- Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services.
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
Indicators in the Article
The article does not explicitly mention indicators but implies several that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Indicator for Target 3.2: The number of cases where children’s injuries are misdiagnosed as abuse, leading to preventable harm or death.
- Indicator for Target 3.7: Access to proper medical diagnosis and care for pregnant women and newborns.
- Indicator for Target 16.2: The number of cases where families are wrongly separated due to misdiagnosis of child abuse.
SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.2: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age. | The number of cases where children’s injuries are misdiagnosed as abuse, leading to preventable harm or death. |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services. | Access to proper medical diagnosis and care for pregnant women and newborns. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | The number of cases where families are wrongly separated due to misdiagnosis of child abuse. |
The article discusses a complex issue involving child welfare, medical diagnoses, and the justice system. It highlights the challenges faced by families who are accused of child abuse based on medical evidence that may be misinterpreted or is not fully understood. The story revolves around a couple whose children were taken into state custody after injuries were found that were suspected to be caused by abuse. A doctor named Michael Holick proposes that these injuries could be due to a rare genetic disorder, which he often diagnoses in such cases, challenging the standard medical and legal approach to child-abuse allegations.
This situation touches on SDG 3, which aims for good health and well-being, particularly targets related to the health of mothers and children, as well as SDG 16, which seeks to promote just, peaceful, and inclusive societies, including the protection of children from abuse and violence. The indicators implied in the article include the accuracy of medical diagnoses in potential child abuse cases, access to expert medical opinions, and the outcomes of legal proceedings involving accusations of child abuse. These indicators can help measure whether families are receiving fair treatment within the healthcare and legal systems when faced with such serious allegations.
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Fuente: propublica.org
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