[Ethrane]

"I say it's done thousands of times across the nation to PVS and other kinds of patients for which there is no hope. Well, and I don't just say it. Doctors and congressmen testified to it the other night."

I've been practicing medicine for almost 15 years now, and I find this hard to believe.

There is a differnce between removing someone from a ventilator or a heart/lung machine and prohibiting provision of nutrition.

It is even different say for a terminally ill cancer patient that loses their appetite and refuses to eat...in this case, the judge forbade any attempts at oral nutrition after the gastrostomy tube was removed.

This case goes beyond passively allowing someone to die, moving directly to active euthanasia or assisted-suicide or murder...take your pick.

I would understand if the caretakers became passive in treating some life-threatening illness Terri might contract. I would understand removing her from a 'life-support' system. I would maybe even understand if they removed her gastrostomy tube and then allowed attempts at oral nutrition. But they have not done any of these things.

They sentenced her to death with no ability to live, even if she wanted to.

[Peach]

Florida has determined that tube feeding IS life support equipment.

And I'm telling you what was discussed on the floor of the House Sunday night. Previously I'd been saying this happened every day in America. They had doctors who said it happened thousands of times a day in America.

[sola_fide]

This case goes beyond passively allowing someone to die, moving directly to active euthanasia or assisted-suicide or murder...take your pick.

This really is the crux of the matter, and I agree with you. I think the problem in this particular case is that Florida law defines a feeding tube as "life support." I would encourage all states to revisit this definition if they have it in a statute.

[lonevoice]

This case goes beyond passively allowing someone to die, moving directly to active euthanasia or assisted-suicide or murder...take your pick.

It's hard to understand why there's any controvery about this at all. You probably already know that Dr. Ronald Cranford, one of the medical experts that Judge Greer found credible and unbiased, is on the board of the Euthanasia Society of America. He has advocated denying of spoon-feeding for the disabled. He has ties to the Hemlock Society, as does MS attorney George Felos.

[windchime]

"This case goes beyond passively allowing someone to die, moving directly to active euthanasia or assisted-suicide or murder...take your pick."

Exactly!