![](http://i47.tinypic.com/15mn2hx.jpg";;)
Posted on 06/30/2014 12:06:10 PM PDT by wagglebee
No line in bioethics is ever fixed. Rather, the push to eradicate the boundaries that keep medical professionalism tied to Hippocratic values (sniffed at as “paternalism” by many in the field) continues unabated, with new boundary lines created, consolidated, and then moved again into ever-more extreme territory.
Some call this, the “slippery slope.” Case in point: Suicide by starvation, known as VSED (voluntary stop eating and drinking). Not only do bioethicists say doctors should participate in this method of suicide by palliating the pain starvation and dehydration causes, but also DO IT FOR THE PATIENT if they stated they wanted to die by VSED in an advance directive and they become mentally incapacitated.
More: They want nursing home or hospital personnel to starve such patients to death even if they willingly eat and drink! From a commentary in the Journal of Clinical Ethics by Thaddeus Mason Pope, about the Margot Bentley case:
Mrs. Bentley may have the capacity to “communicate a choice.” But this is just one component of capacity.
She does not understand the relevant information, does not appreciate the situation and its consequences, and cannot reason about treatment or care options…If the test for capacity is really this low, then current “consent” will often trump even the clearest prior instructions.”
When it comes to eating and drinking by mouth it damn well should! What if the patient said she didn’t want to be turned, whether in advance or currently? Should that be honored even if it leads to terrible bed sores? No! Turning is basic humane care.
But Pope, in a Twitter exchange with me, said yes. That ” medical paternalism” is over, apparently regardless of the cost.
Please note that this isn’t refusing medical treatment–like a feeding tube–but denying basic humane care, e.g. oral sustenance.
And this should really chill your blood:
Medical, ethical, and legal commentators are reaching near consensus that capacitated patients may make a contemporaneous choice of VSED.
Far less clear is whether individuals can choose to VSED in advance, as an exercise in prospective autonomy. Fortunately, physicians and philosophers are developing the theories, tools, and maxims to help define how and when the practice of advance VSED can be legitimately and safely [!!!] implemented.
In other words, we want to make sure these people die, now we just have to figure out how to get there.
I call this “gotcha” killing. The statement of the person when fully compettent trumps the actions or, perhaps (why not?) statements of the same person if they become mentally incapacitated, even if they eat, and perhaps, even if they ask to eat.
It’s also another frontal assault on medical professionalism. But more on that later.
Slip-Slidin’ Away/ Slip-slidin’ away/The nearer your destination/ the more you slip-slidin’ away.
LifeNews.com Note: Wesley J. Smith, J.D., is a special consultant to the Center for Bioethics and Culture and a bioethics attorney who blogs at Human Exeptionalism.
She does not understand the relevant information, does not appreciate the situation and its consequences, and cannot reason about treatment or care options...
Really? What EXACTLY is the "relevant information" that a person needs to recognize that they are hungry or thirsty? What capacity of "reason" does a person need to understand that they don't want to be murdered?
A fun time will be had by all.
These activists should be first in line.
Freepmail wagglebee to subscribe or unsubscribe from the moral absolutes ping list.
FreeRepublic moral absolutes keyword search
My Dad was always scared that a “black pill” was going to be invented to get rid of all the elderly. Well perhaps the “black pill” has been invented yet, but they are certainly preparing the end goal.
I understand that newly graduated doctors no longer take the “Hippocratic Oath” Is that true?? Anyone?
Seems like the black pill would have been more humane — starving someone is the most inhumane act. Nazis used it as a way of punishing and torturing their prisoners. These bioethicists would have made Hitler proud.
bump
“These activists should be first in line.”
Do they not realize at some point this will be them? My father’s doctor refused him an IV because we would not let him use extreme measures at my father’s express wishes. I had to drip water in his mouth with a straw. The doctor was arbitrary and capricious. Either we let him do what he wanted or he starved and dehydrated my father.
My father was 95, in very bad condition and he’d seen the extreme measures, broken ribs and more, on his friends. He’d determined he didn’t want his ribs broken. Yes, they’d probably added a few days to his friends, but they were days of incredible pain.
Remember Terri Schiavo? They said she was in a blissful state of euphoria as they starved her to death.
“Capacity” is defined as “making the choice we think he should make.” If he makes another choice, he’s proved he lacks capacity, and the choice they want is forced on him.
One way to tell evil people, if they’re not showing a Dark Mark and their eyes don’t glow red in the dark, is that they want the power of life and death over others. You can also check to see if their profession is “bioethicist.”
They are rushing. All they have to do is wait about 20 years, and this will be the way 0bamacare “treats” the elderly.
Except for the ruling elite. They will get the best of care.
So, even if someone states that they want to live, medical professionals can disregard this, because they know better than their patient? This is insane.
Somebody try to convince me that seeking medical care after the age of 65 is a good idea. I’m way past believing the medical profession wants what’s best for me.
I’m thinking about the way Stalin’s inner circle hung around for three days after his stroke and watched him die. Did nothing for him, not even a drink of water.
“Jeb” Bush’s finest hour. (SARCASM)
Thanks for the ping!
This is done now with the “do not resuscitate” order. No food, no water, just morphine.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.