The New England Journal of Medicine today published two articles about the Schiavo case. Both are open-access. The first, called "Terri Schiavo -- A Tragedy Compounded" can be read via Acrobat here (3 pages). The second, entitled "Culture of Life" Politics at the Bedside -- The Case of Terri Schiavo can be read, also via Acrobat, here (6 pages). The first is written by a doctor, the second by a lawyer with a Masters in Public Health; both are in laymen's English.
The first lays out the historical facts and comes to the conclusion that courts are the last place that decisions of this nature should be made. Having said that, the author comes down on the side of Michael Schiavo. The second is a well-written blast at Congress (particularly the doctors who are members of that body) for interfering with the court system and ignoring the precedents set by the Karen Quinlan and Nancy Cruzon cases.
Posted by Linkmeister at March 23, 2005 12:01 AMCulture of Life! Culture of Life! Dead by Dawn! Dead by Dawn!
Posted by: NTodd at March 23, 2005 12:08 PMI don't know for sure what your asking here,but I'am guessing that your asking for comments on the Terri Schiavio case. I first heard of this case about 9 or 10 years ago when at the time I was under the impression that her husband Michael wanted her out of the way so he could remarry which I still believe is the case I believe that he is probably Catholic in religion where devorce is looked down appon therefore to satisfy his religous beliefs the only way out of this marriage would be for him to let his present wife die.
I can't imagine anyone wanting to die, let alone talk about committing medical suicide before they are even injured then have you wife or as in this case her husband recall this conversation after she is injured.
We have come along way as a society when we can be forced to stand by while a person who has harmed no one during her life is put to death, and at the same time give people who are preverted enough to molest our children and given celebrity status are permitted to walk amoungst us free as the wind. Or others who have committed brutal murders are given what is permitted to be called a fair trial do the same.
I'am told that the govenor of the state of Florida could if he wanted to put a stop to this nonscence I believe that he could if he could stop a condemed person from execution then why not have the ability to stop an inocent from being put to death only because she does not have the ability to express her desire to live.
Since when does a blog post necessarily have to be asking questions? haha.
I saw no question marks in this post.
"I can't imagine anyone wanting to die"
Yep, I heard about this notion before - it certainly cleared up some confusion for me. A lot of people fear death so much that they don't want anyone to die, at all, ever, in any way.
Too bad that's impossible.
Though it seems a lot of Christians would certainly line up if vampirism was a reality.
"committing medical suicide"
People refuse medical treatment every day. It's almost never considered suicide under religious doctrine, indeed some religious INSIST upon refusing medical treatment. And it's almost never considered suicide under the law.
"the govenor of the state of Florida could if he wanted to put a stop to this nonscence"
Yes, by throwing out all the laws of our nation about freedom & autonomy. Freedom & automony - such nonsense, right! haha.
Posted by: Chloe at March 26, 2005 12:45 PM