Posted on 06/30/2014 12:06:10 PM PDT by wagglebee
No line in bioethics is ever fixed. Rather, the push to eradicate the boundaries that keep medical professionalism tied to Hippocratic values (sniffed at as “paternalism” by many in the field) continues unabated, with new boundary lines created, consolidated, and then moved again into ever-more extreme territory.
Some call this, the “slippery slope.” Case in point: Suicide by starvation, known as VSED (voluntary stop eating and drinking). Not only do bioethicists say doctors should participate in this method of suicide by palliating the pain starvation and dehydration causes, but also DO IT FOR THE PATIENT if they stated they wanted to die by VSED in an advance directive and they become mentally incapacitated.
More: They want nursing home or hospital personnel to starve such patients to death even if they willingly eat and drink! From a commentary in the Journal of Clinical Ethics by Thaddeus Mason Pope, about the Margot Bentley case:
Mrs. Bentley may have the capacity to “communicate a choice.” But this is just one component of capacity.
She does not understand the relevant information, does not appreciate the situation and its consequences, and cannot reason about treatment or care options…If the test for capacity is really this low, then current “consent” will often trump even the clearest prior instructions.”
When it comes to eating and drinking by mouth it damn well should! What if the patient said she didn’t want to be turned, whether in advance or currently? Should that be honored even if it leads to terrible bed sores? No! Turning is basic humane care.
But Pope, in a Twitter exchange with me, said yes. That ” medical paternalism” is over, apparently regardless of the cost.
Please note that this isn’t refusing medical treatment–like a feeding tube–but denying basic humane care, e.g. oral sustenance.
And this should really chill your blood:
Medical, ethical, and legal commentators are reaching near consensus that capacitated patients may make a contemporaneous choice of VSED.
Far less clear is whether individuals can choose to VSED in advance, as an exercise in prospective autonomy. Fortunately, physicians and philosophers are developing the theories, tools, and maxims to help define how and when the practice of advance VSED can be legitimately and safely [!!!] implemented.
In other words, we want to make sure these people die, now we just have to figure out how to get there.
I call this “gotcha” killing. The statement of the person when fully compettent trumps the actions or, perhaps (why not?) statements of the same person if they become mentally incapacitated, even if they eat, and perhaps, even if they ask to eat.
It’s also another frontal assault on medical professionalism. But more on that later.
Slip-Slidin’ Away/ Slip-slidin’ away/The nearer your destination/ the more you slip-slidin’ away.
LifeNews.com Note: Wesley J. Smith, J.D., is a special consultant to the Center for Bioethics and Culture and a bioethics attorney who blogs at Human Exeptionalism.
These people are evil.
Allowing for the possibility that he might well have died anyway, even with the best available Soviet healthcare ... I agree.
My point was that this is the way "ruling elites" treat each other, in the state of nature.
I do not remember everything about that time. But, I do remember receiving a call to get there to say “good-bye”. This was at the 2nd hospital, before the VA. I rushed there and ran into ICU. The nurse had no idea why the doctor had told me that. I signed a form that day stating he was never to be in his room again.
I still will not sign a DNR and neither will my husband.
Thank you, we are doing well and intend to for many years. The VA really does take great care of him.
You are correct.
I’ve watched it go both ways. When the time has come I believe those who suffer the most are those who we try and do the most for in an attempt to avoid what cannot be avoided.
So long as they will eat or drink when you spoon some porridge in or put some water to their lips, or drop some ice chips in their mouth, we should continue to offer them nourishment. But when the body has decided to no longer even do that.... sad as it is.... we must respect what has been appointed if thats what has been chosen.
They were scared that if they did do something to help him and he lived they would be accused to trying to kill him.
Personally I have always liked the idea that Tito had him assassinated. The irony appeals.
bfl
I remember a doctor (IIRC a noted rabbi as well, but I’m
not 100% certain) saying “DNR” DOES NOT MEAN “DO NOT TREAT”
If it wasn’t he, it was another at the same conference.
I like the straightforwardness of “died from hard living.”
DNR's are ORDERS to Do Not Resuscitate...PERIOD. Has nothing to do with normal care, antibiotics, fluids, food, care, surgery, tests, etc..etc...
I'm sorry you have been misinformed...but I understand it.
He had to be intubated and other things.
Take good care..!!
“DNR’s are ORDERS to Do Not Resuscitate...PERIOD. Has nothing to do with normal care, antibiotics, fluids, food, care, surgery, tests, etc..etc... ..”
It used to be that way, but a nurse in our family advised another family member not to permit DNR for her dad, because some hospitals take it as any excuse not to give other treatments.
That’s baloney................
No, it’s not. She’s a nurse who USED to be pro-DNR directives, and she’s not the first one I heard this from.
Well...I’m telling you it’s not SOP. I’ve worked and continue to work in the HealthCare field...and a DNR does NOT mean we withhold ANYTHING but ACLS/CPR.... Period.
Glad it’s not happening where you work, but advocates should be wary for the sake of their loved ones.
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