[antiRepublicrat]

What reason do you suppose would he have to order this?

Because it's difficult for someone to starve if they're being fed? I though that was kind of obvious.

how can someone is this state engage in such an activity

Because the swallow reflex of a PVS patient remains intact. They swallow their own saliva all the time.

accepting food and water presented to her shows her desire to live

See previous. It would show nothing.

[TigersEye]

Because the swallow reflex of a PVS patient remains intact. They swallow their own saliva all the time.

Completely untrue. People who are PVS can't swallow their saliva or anything else. That's just false.