The quality of life issue is (was) in this, as in all cases a canard. Gondring, I agree that living wills should enjoy the full force of legitimacy (less assisted suicide). Incapacitation or, unassisted viability, is in and of itself, not sufficient. What 1, 2, or 3-year-old child can survive without having his or her food prepared, served and fed to him, much less provide clothing and shelter. There is a level of dependence on others. Likewise, the aged and infirm are often reliant in part or whole or on others for the basic requirements of their survival. In the terms of the child, this responsibility is generally articulated in laws against child abuse, neglect or abandonment. The aged and infirm don’t necessarily enjoy such protections of law, but the moral responsibility is no less, present. The whole argument, in regards to Terri Schiavo are irrelevant inasmuch as her parent’s had repeatedly volunteered to assume such burden and even offered Michael $1M to Michael for him to release custody.
Michael (and his family) made allegations that Terri had verbally communicated her desire to not be sustained under such conditions as she was in. The problem with this is that these recollections did not come to the Schiavo's until years after her collapse. Prior to that time (and there are affidavits to this effect) Michael had discussed with others the dilemma he found himself in because he had no idea what Terri would want. Additionally, the Schindler's, in the absence of any written guidance from Terri, attempted to enter the argument that Terri would want to abide by the mandates of her Roman Catholic Faith (indeed, Terri had been a practicing Catholic and had attended Mass the Saturday night prior to her Sunday morning collapse.) Greer disregarded that argument and any others proffered by the Schindlers in favor of those proffered by the Schiavos.
I have many moral, legal and ethical problems with the outcome of this case. The fundamental question at the basis of her starvation was one of determining and complying with Terri's wishes. Tasked with determining the the best fit truth of Terri's desires, guardianship was assigned by Greer based on hearsay communicated by, and on behalf of M. Schiavo who had a direct financial interest in Terri's expiration, and who, in reality had known her only for a few years, and by several (sworn to) accounts had been in a relationship of increasing hostility. The opinions of persons with little if any possibility of financial gain (indeed the likelihood of increased hardship) and persons who had known her for her entire life, were dismissed out of hand.