I think you guys are missing the point here. The science here points to an inescapable conclusion.
Ms. Shiavo's brain, the organ that made her distinctly human, has been irreparable damaged. Her cortex and neo-cortex has died due to oxygen starvation, and will not grow back or otherwise recover. All that is left of her brain is the brain stem, which controls the only the most automatic of functions.
She will retreat from pain, turn her eye to light, awaken and sleep because these are the most primitive functions of the central nervous system. She is incapable of doing more, because there is nothing left of her brain to do it with.
I know it is hard to hear this, but Ms. Schiavo is aware of her environment the way a plant is aware. She lacks the neurological capacity to be aware of her environment to the degree an insect is aware.
It is time to stop this insult to God, and God's nature, and let her go.
Lorne