Yes, and that's the point here. Several here think it is somehow important that Terri hasn't had a CAT scan or an MRI. Why? She probably hasn't had a test for diabetes or AIDS either, but diagnostic tests will not restore her brain. In the end, it won't matter.
The good news is that Terri has no cognizance of her force feeding and her diapers. It is demeaning and abusive to her and her memory, but she doesn't know it. So, one can argue, why not continue to put her through it and maybe someday medicine will perfect brain transplants or cloning or some other futurist remedy.
But it doesn't just demean Terri and her memory to force nutritional slurry through her bowels and into her diapers, it demeans us as a people. When we act as though only breathing counts, we witness to the world that we collectively 'have no hope' beyond the grave. How foolish.
As you put it so eloquently, "an exercise in futility."
It appears we're going to argue each other into the grave. So, we'll agree to disagree on this issue. Otherwise, we'd be beating our head against brick walls. This would be most detrimental to our future health.
So, we'll just agree to disagree. Be moderates so to speak. Now, I am sure your decision was the right one, having every intricate knowledge of your wife's health. I certainly understand your argument, but we'll just let sleeping dogs lie.