Posted on 06/30/2014 12:06:10 PM PDT by wagglebee
No line in bioethics is ever fixed. Rather, the push to eradicate the boundaries that keep medical professionalism tied to Hippocratic values (sniffed at as “paternalism” by many in the field) continues unabated, with new boundary lines created, consolidated, and then moved again into ever-more extreme territory.
Some call this, the “slippery slope.” Case in point: Suicide by starvation, known as VSED (voluntary stop eating and drinking). Not only do bioethicists say doctors should participate in this method of suicide by palliating the pain starvation and dehydration causes, but also DO IT FOR THE PATIENT if they stated they wanted to die by VSED in an advance directive and they become mentally incapacitated.
More: They want nursing home or hospital personnel to starve such patients to death even if they willingly eat and drink! From a commentary in the Journal of Clinical Ethics by Thaddeus Mason Pope, about the Margot Bentley case:
Mrs. Bentley may have the capacity to “communicate a choice.” But this is just one component of capacity.
She does not understand the relevant information, does not appreciate the situation and its consequences, and cannot reason about treatment or care options…If the test for capacity is really this low, then current “consent” will often trump even the clearest prior instructions.”
When it comes to eating and drinking by mouth it damn well should! What if the patient said she didn’t want to be turned, whether in advance or currently? Should that be honored even if it leads to terrible bed sores? No! Turning is basic humane care.
But Pope, in a Twitter exchange with me, said yes. That ” medical paternalism” is over, apparently regardless of the cost.
Please note that this isn’t refusing medical treatment–like a feeding tube–but denying basic humane care, e.g. oral sustenance.
And this should really chill your blood:
Medical, ethical, and legal commentators are reaching near consensus that capacitated patients may make a contemporaneous choice of VSED.
Far less clear is whether individuals can choose to VSED in advance, as an exercise in prospective autonomy. Fortunately, physicians and philosophers are developing the theories, tools, and maxims to help define how and when the practice of advance VSED can be legitimately and safely [!!!] implemented.
In other words, we want to make sure these people die, now we just have to figure out how to get there.
I call this “gotcha” killing. The statement of the person when fully compettent trumps the actions or, perhaps (why not?) statements of the same person if they become mentally incapacitated, even if they eat, and perhaps, even if they ask to eat.
It’s also another frontal assault on medical professionalism. But more on that later.
Slip-Slidin’ Away/ Slip-slidin’ away/The nearer your destination/ the more you slip-slidin’ away.
LifeNews.com Note: Wesley J. Smith, J.D., is a special consultant to the Center for Bioethics and Culture and a bioethics attorney who blogs at Human Exeptionalism.
Exactly. Recalling a book called “Potatoes from Above” a reference to the objectifying of the dead in concentration camps and the dead babies along with them— the cold impersonalization of the murdering. The elite consensus agrees— suicide is to be assisted and commanded by the elite for “the rest of us”.
Start on yourselves first— do it for the “environment” or to avoid “global warming” by your continuing to breathe. Socialism writ large and in red.
The ghoulish “euthanesia activists” should be the first to experience their “love”.
Been there.. twice. And they take advantage of the presence or absence of one with medical power of atty, which is ignored often depending on the state of residence.
This is not going to be a popular post but after watching my step-father die at age 97 after 6 grueling months begging someone to kill him - he finally refused to eat. We let him. It was kind.
My 64 year old sister who has been homeless for several years after disowning our family, finally drank herself into cirrhosis of the liver and it is terminal period. She will quit eating and drinking when she wants and I will do nothing to intervene.
I don’t think God would want me to force my will on these people who are dying and want to hasten it naturally.
About 15 years ago, my, now, husband ended up in the hospital. They flat out told me, alter, that if he had had a DNR, he would have passed away. Fortunately, after he awoke, he was determined to be competent enough to designate me POA.
I tell people all the time to not sign a DNR.
Oh, and, my husband is doing very well, thanks to terrific medical care at that hospital and then the VA hospital.
Killing “feters” or “geeters” may not then be murder..
In the “name game” Game.. because it is a game to them..
It's so pathological it is psychotic..
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Same game Stalin, Hitler, and Mao played..
You know in the"Animal Farm".. where humans are bred, sheared, milked and butchered like farm animals..
Much like what is done in New York, Massachusetts.. and most all of the larger cities in the United States.. Not to speak of Canada, The UK, most all of URP.. and of course Russia, China, India, and all of South and Central America..
Mexico is just a pig farm.. like the mideast..
Serious question, what is new in this? They have been denying food and water to elderly patients for a while.
Well, it’s simple really - create these panels of bureaucrats and political appointees to determine if a person is worth feeding or not.
Then, abide by their decision. The family and the patient should have no say in the matter.
Eventually we can apply this to anybody, at any age, if they are deemed a burden on society.
It works like this - anybody can bring a petition before the panel. The panel considers the request (the “patient” and family are not allowed to testify, unless it is the family trying to get rid of the “patient”) Once the panel decides the life in question is a burden on society, the doctors (if the “patient” is under a doctor’s supervision administers the euthanasia drugs. If the patient is not under a doctor’s supervision, a licensed euthanizer is dispatched to dispatch the “patient”; using a dart gun if the “patient” is mobile.
This is a great concept, and certainly is a far cry from the Death Panels that Sara Palin was hollering about!!
According to the death lobby, expressing a desire to not be murdered is proof that you are not competent to make such a decision. If you were competent, you would want to be tortured to death. Therefor, all choices will be recorded as a request to be murdered.
Oh, and the same will apply to 'political prisoners' - you know, the people who dare to stand up to democrat thugs... Political prisoners of the future.
Take 'em back out and shoot them.
If Republicans 'drag their feet' about killing citizens because of their political beliefs, then Obama will just have to act on his own. Congress is a meaningless rubber stamp organization - just like in Russia, China, Cuba, North Korea - and all the other hellholes cultures... right??
Of course Obama will do this with the 'approval' of this top thugs... The New York Times will accept it. Nat Hentoff will be the only democrat journalist who will see the truth...
Baloney!
Well, I'm surprised that the "nursing" home just doesn't go all the way and just stop bathing them, giving them fresh linen,clothing, providing dental care, etc. Just lock them in their rooms and forget about them.
But to be sure, these "nursing homes" won't forget to collect their fees and payments from the government or "patients" in their so-called "nursing home" for the wonderful "care" they are providing. Hell, just turn off the heat and AC to save money too!
May divine retribution come down on the heads of the monsters now living amongst us.
Good, honest medical professionals can tell patients and their family that their prognosis is very terminal. And further treatment is unwarranted and just prolonging their imminent death. Comfort measures might be in order.
But it's still the patient or the patient's POA to decide.................
And this is suppose to be news?
Feeding tubes are usually put in nursing home patients not because they can NOT eat or drink but because it is easier for the staff.
My Grandpa had a feeding tube for the last 16 months of his life. He still took some food and drink by mouth. We fed him because he could still taste and liked the flavor of food. He really enjoyed some of the liquids we devised for him such as a very diluted form of red eye gravy.
Mmmmm... well... maybe in that case... No, it was still wrong. They should have at least put a pillow over his face. If you are going to kill someone then do it and own it.
But it's still the patient or the patient's POA to decide................."
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I hear you. This is what I was referring to:
More: They want nursing home or hospital personnel to starve such patients to death even if they willingly eat and drink! From a commentary in the Journal of Clinical Ethics by Thaddeus Mason Pope, about the Margot Bentley case:
Mrs. Bentley may have the capacity to “communicate a choice.” But this is just one component of capacity.
She does not understand the relevant information, does not appreciate the situation and its consequences, and cannot reason about treatment or care options…If the test for capacity is really this low, then current “consent” will often trump even the clearest prior instructions.”
I should have supplied this quote to my original post.
They are calling for the death of people who can still eat and drink on their own. That is simply inhuman
DNR's are interesting documents. I've known DNR's that were intubated...on their Doctor's advice and agreed to it. And got over what they "had" and went on their merry way.
I've know full codes..that lingered on..for weeks and months...on ventilators...that had no chance of living. And eventually coded and died.
I'm not sure why anyone would tell you that about your now husband 15 yrs ago...but he must have been very sick...and some healthcare worker was an ass. I've seen too many!!
I'm glad he survived...and you are doing well together!
I'm a DNR...and I work in the HealthCare biz....But a DNR doesn't say you withhold ALL care....it just says...we aren't going to run a CODE on you..if you stop breathing or your heart stops. Period. Anyone tells you different is not telling you the truth.
FWIW-
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