"No".
Well, if my uncle didn't commit suicide by refusing the feeding tube, would he have committed suicide if he would've purposely injected an overdose of prescription drugs? or jumped out of a window?
I envy people who can find bright, clear lines in these matters, because I cannot.
Did he have feeding tube,I pray and post with you and look for answers.TWohlford
It's empathy for your fellow man.
If you don't get it now, maybe you will when its you on the other end of the feeding tube.
TWohlford...I can read the pain that you have over the loss of your uncle. I am VERY sorry for that loss.
In my NEVER so humble opinion...WE have made this hard to understand by our very actions as a society. In my grandparent's day...people just flat out got old, and died. Or, got old and sick and faded away in a hospital or at home.
Here's the tricky part....medical science IS a good thing, I believe it's God-given as is EVERYTHING good on this earth. BUT!!!....when we humans try to decide who dies how, WHEN a sick person is "dead" or not...THAT'S where all the mumble jumble comes in. And THAT'S how Hemlock, Scientology, etc., has gotten it's foot in the door.
First, notice the distinction between Terri's case and your uncle's: he made his desires clear. They were "real-time."
The "bright line" is between doing harm and not -- between refusing an action that would be an assault in the person's mind and inviting or carrying out an action that is an actual assault on the body.
The refusal of a feeding tube will not cause death if the person is still allowed whatever oral hydration is possible - in that case, the disease causes death by limiting oral hydration. The intention is to avoid intervention, to avoid invasive intervention in the body.
The poison is the direct cause of death. The intention is to kill. The action is invasive.
In Terri's case, she could not make her wishes clear. The Court backed the husband with law enforcement when he caused the deliberate medical intervention of pulling the tube while simultaneously forbidding oral hydration. Her mother was forbidden to even give ice chips or a spoon of liquid. This intended death and caused death.