This is what happens when the State has a say in medical issues. If they will go to these extremes in this circumstance, then what circumstance would they exercise restraint. This should be sign of things to come in th world of socialized medicine.

The newborn blood test - usually performed within 48 hours of birth - screens for dozens of rare diseases, some of which can cause severe mental retardation or death if left undetected.

These parents are total idiots. Should a child be allowed to die from preventable causes because the parents are incompetent?

This should be sign of things to come in th world of socialized medicine.

That's quite a stretch, no? I mean this happened in one of the most conservative of states in the Union and without "socialized" medicine. And speaking of the state getting involved in people's medical decisions I have two words for you, Terry Schiavo.

These parents are total idiots. Should a child be allowed to die from preventable causes because the parents are incompetent?

Sounds like a religious belief of the parents which I think the state should have respected. This is a difficult area since it seems obvious to many of us that the parents beliefs are putting the child at unnecessary risk. This cuts to the edge of liberalism (old def.) which is where many of our society's conflicts are. Whose rights do you trample on?

Whose rights do you trample on?

Exactly. Does the good of the many outweigh the good of the few?

Can parents refuse blood products for a child on religious grounds? I know you can refuse for yourself, as an adult.

Most likely this all occurred because of a rebellious reaction on the part of the parents. Had they sought legal council as part of their decision to not have the baby tested, the legal authorities would have taken their concerns more seriously. But they probably just went home after cussing out people at the hospital and waited for the authorities to react. So they reacted. They took custody of the child and performed the tests.
"If you're going to fight a dog, you better have a big stick; a wagging finger just looks like lunch to the beast." me.