Ventilator and feeding tube are entirely different to me. I think each case is different and should be dealt with individually. Coma and brain-dead are different too.
Exactly right GOP. Having to run a persons autonomic functions for them counts as "heroic means" - we really are not morally bound to carry out heroic means for people who are not getting any better (who are not expected to ever regain use of their autonomic functions.
In the Schiavo case autonomic functions are not the issue. Someone is denying her food and water.