[ElkGroveDan]

OK, here’s my answer: I don’t believe there is a sharp distinction between “minimally conscious” and “vegetative” especially with something as complex as the human brain. Such categories are man-made subjective classifications. Nor do I accept the characterization of Terri as “vegetative” since there were numerous people with impressive credentials on both sides of that diagnosis. With so much doubt, there is never any good reason to put to death an innocent human being.

Therefore, this case is ENTIRELY comparable to the Schiavo case. I am sure that if enough money were at stake and enough lawyers involved someone could easily have made a good case to kill this poor man several years ago, inculding a self-serving oral recollection that "it's what he would have wanted."

[Inverse]

I do not believe Terry should have been killed however in defense of the people who think this case is not the same, there is this quote from the article.

“He noted that a similar treatment did not help Terri Schiavo, the Florida woman in a vegetative state whose care triggered national controversy before her death in 2005. That’s the typical outcome for electrical brain stimulation in vegetative states, he said.”

[Barney Gumble]

Therefore, this case is ENTIRELY comparable to the Schiavo case. I am sure that if enough money were at stake and enough lawyers involved someone could easily have made a good case to kill this poor man several years ago, inculding a self-serving oral recollection that "it's what he would have wanted."

Michael Schaivo is breathing relief.

The article noted "He noted that a similar treatment did not help Terri Schiavo," but when was that treatment tried? There have been marvelous advances over the last 10 years.