THis is beyond tragic. Unlike some on this thread who cannot see the truth, please do not confuse the analysis of what physicians are faced with every day as an abdication of the emotion that this is horrifying. I can tell you stories of great tragedy and heart wrenching issues that physicians and nurses face everyday, and few people care to understand. Thank you for at least listening to all the arguments and coming to a conclusion based on the issues, not the emotions. God bless you and may you enjoy a peaceful 2014.
Those here who are concerned about hospital admin and govt deciding these issues instead of family do have a personal interest.... it CAN and WILL affect them someday. Those with the interest in siding with other than the family making decisions... I have to wonder why. Even in the mid 1990's the immediate family made these decisions. Tell me what is the legal authority of the hospital to make this decision? We have gone from Doctors who use to "do no harm" to doctors who look the other way and do nothing.