Your premise is a completely different aspect. Why are these tens of thousands still alive? How are they fed, maintained?
It is indeed a great expense. The words *unnecessary waste of money* are loaded and I would dispute the use of those words.
The money issue is indeed relevant, but not relevant to the discussion of whether or not a person who cannot chew or swallow should be fed via feeding tube.
Obviously, that would be a whole separate thread, wouldn't it?
They are alive because our society long ago (before you, I, or anyone else now alive was born) decided to care for them. Most of them, probably over 90% of them, are sent to hospitals because their families do not have the resources or skills to care for them properly. These are state-run hospitals, it is your tax money and mine that is supporting them. They have doctors, nurses, nurse assistants, physical therapists, teachers, cooks, dietiticians, etc., whose jobs are to take care of these people. The videos of Terri revealed a woman who was aware of her surroundings and somewhat responsive. Not all retarded people have even that level of awareness--some have none--yet they are cared for.
I know about the state hospitals for the retarded, because my mother was a teacher at one. I've visited the hospital many times and been around many retarded people. Their abilities fall along a spectrum, from the "high level" who appear normal until you talk to them, to the "low level" who are comparable to or have less ability than Terri. Some require extensive medical support (including life-support equipment), and I have never seen them (my mother told me about them). Even when they are unresponsive and incapable of learning, teachers and therapists spend time with them.
Do you see now why I have a problem with the argument that it was right to kill Terri on the basis that she didn't meet some minimal level of functionality? You're telling me that the retarded people who were part of my childhood--people similar to Terri--do not deserve to live. Your response just now indicates that maybe you weren't aware of the existence of these people, but, now that you are, do you think we should end their existences the way Terri's was ended?
There are mentally retarded who are completely unable to feed themselves, totally unaware of their surroundings and are in a complete vegetative state as far as the thinking process goes. Should be they be starved to death as well?