Yes, it is true that the Amish like the Mennonites are not hesitant to utilize all the modern technology available when it comes to medical purposes, so I do not understand why the article makes it sound as if the AMish were like the Christian Scientists or Jehovah Witness cults who avoid modern medical practices. The Amish do seem to make use of a lot of alternative medicine though and are often suckers for new age Mexican health centers, so maybe since the child did not display any symptons of the disease now, the parents were reluctant to have such an invasive surgery performed before they checked other avenues. My O.O. Mennonite friend's daughter has juvenile diabetes and although she is on insulin , the parents did not hesitate to take her by train to Mexico for this "alternative" therapy which is medically unproven. I know that many medical doctors get annoyed when this happens, and complain to the dept. of social services if the parents do not immediately opt for the traditional approach. Another strange story.. Susan