But, what if Meg does not recover from the operation? She has already been through all the counseling and psychotherapy possibilities and has not yet changed her mind regarding the desire to donate her kidney. There is no reason to think that she will suddenly become satisfied with this decision after the operation. .
The drastic temperament difference in the twins, who were born at the same time and raised in similar environmental conditions, makes me question the health of the relationship between Meg and her parents. Meg feels rejected. In her eyes, her parents are always focusing on Irene and the very concept that they want her to give up her a part of her own body for the befit of her sister reinforces her feeling of rejection and the idea that Irene is the person of importance. Meg has already been through psychotherapy and a variety of counseling, could she possibly be right? Perhaps her family does favor Irene. Perhaps her feelings of rejection are valid because her family does reject her. Regardless, it can not be assumed that Meg will eventually "get over it". Forcing her to go through with the donation may even harm her greater. The loss of control over her own body and its integrity may further deepen her depression, possibly leading to suicide. Thus, even thought the operation has saved Irene, now we have lost Meg.
There is also the problem of getting Meg to the hospital and the legal issues that may be involved in this. Since she refuses to go voluntarily, someone must force her to go. The parents would essentially have to drug and drag her to the hospital. This opens the door to the potential legal problems of child abuse. As a doctor, I am legally bound to report such things. The legal issues may become even more confusing because of my involvement with the procedure. Participating in potential child abuse does not look good for a doctor who wished to continue their career.
