Italian health officials have defied a court order by refusing to take a comatose patient off of life support.
For nine years, Eluana Englaro's father has tried to end her life. Two months ago, a court took his side. But health officials say it would go against their "professional duties and obligations" to let the 35-year-old woman die.
"It's encouraging — and refreshing — to see physicians take their oath to protect life so seriously that they are willing to go against a court order," said Carrie Gordon Earll, senior bioethics analyst for Focus on the Family Action. "Hopefully, doctors in other countries will be emboldened by this move and take similar steps."
