[muir_redwoods]

No 12 year-old is qualified to practice medicine. Bright enough? maybe but there's more to medicine than intelligence and training. There's judgement that only age and experience will bring. Will this kid be qualified in 5 or 6 years? Not to work on me.

[.38sw]

You make a good point. The boy did say he might like to find something big, like a treatment for cancer. He might find himself a good position in medical research. Perhaps when he gets older after working in research, he could then go on to practice medicine.

[Bonaparte]

It sounds like he'll be a research MD. Probably won't be treating many patients except in residence under his chief's watchful eye. Besides, how many adults want a 15- or 16-year-old diagnosing and treating them -- no matter how smart he may be?

[ChemistCat]

I've had many an older doctor who was absolutely horrible in every way: bad judgement, bad bedside manner, bad office hiring decisions, and totally wrong diagnoses.

I don't know how a bright kid who wants to help people could do worse than some of these selfish, soured, lazy old guys who probably take more drugs than they prescribe--and that's saying something.