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I agree - People in this position should have the right to decide whether they want to live or die.
Posted: 12:55 Mar 15 2002
To be or not to be...
Today in the high court, a decision will be made regarding a middle aged woman who wishes to have her life support system switched off.
The woman is single and has no children. She has been unable to move or breathe unassisted for a year and doctors estimate she has less than a 1% chance of improvement.
This is not assisted suicide, since she cannot survive without treatment and is asking *not* to be treated.
However, her doctors are claiming that to switch off the life support would breach their professional ethics, and also claim she cannot make an informed decision without trying special rehabilitation.
The woman's lawyers argue that as a fully competent adult, she has a right to refuse treatment under the Human Rights Act.
Personally, I think that she should be allowed to make that decision.
What do you think?
The woman is single and has no children. She has been unable to move or breathe unassisted for a year and doctors estimate she has less than a 1% chance of improvement.
This is not assisted suicide, since she cannot survive without treatment and is asking *not* to be treated.
However, her doctors are claiming that to switch off the life support would breach their professional ethics, and also claim she cannot make an informed decision without trying special rehabilitation.
The woman's lawyers argue that as a fully competent adult, she has a right to refuse treatment under the Human Rights Act.
Personally, I think that she should be allowed to make that decision.
What do you think?
23 Replies and 5789 Views in Total. [ 1 2 ]
Posted: 12:55 Mar 15 2002 
I agree too. I wish her luck.
Posted: 23:52 Mar 15 2002 
Do we not have DNR thingy here in Britain?
Posted: 12:14 Mar 16 2002
A happy 
ending...
THe high court has ruled that she is competent to make the decision and the hospital has acted unlawfully in forcing her to stay alive on a ventilator and awarded nominal damages.
ending...THe high court has ruled that she is competent to make the decision and the hospital has acted unlawfully in forcing her to stay alive on a ventilator and awarded nominal damages.
Posted: 11:18 Mar 22 2002 [ 1 2 ]