About the Law
Informed Consent

Informed Consent is Law in Canada.

The legal principles and ethics that have arisen out of case law and Supreme Court decisions, comprise a body of knowledge that grants "Every individual's right to information on material risks and the fundamental right of persons to be free from unwanted physical interference. Medical care is wrongful and a "battery" unless the patient has given consent to it. It is an essential prerequisite to the provision of medical services." (1) Informed consent is the underlying principle upon which the associated legal tenets are constructed. For example, it is not enough to sign a consent form." "When a patient reads, understands and signs a written consent to treatment or surgery there is express consent. Express consent is established when a patient declares his willingness to submit to a medical treatment". Ref: Canadian Medical Law-An Introduction for Physicians, Nurses and Other Health Care Professionals by: B. Sneiderman, John O. Irvine, Philip H. Osborne.

As stated above, one could argue that before one decides what treatment to undertake that it is necessary that all options be made available to the patient. If the patient decides to use alternative therapies instead of and or with orthodox medicine, then that right is his or hers to decide. It would be nice to have some dietary supplements to choose from in the future. It has been stated by many that if the Federal Government, HPB and the Colleges of Physician and Surgeon continues to assist in the destruction of our access to dietary supplements and alternative therapies we will be forced again to take potentially harmful drugs that could have a devastating effect on our bodies. The route that is being taken by our protectors is no competition, no accountability, no access, no choice. Do we belong to a free democratic society or a system of plutochracy? (a group of wealthy people who control or influence government).