Today I would like to discuss a euthanasia problem. Last week I read an article that tells the story of Terri Schiavo, the American woman who had been in the persistent vegetative state for 15 years. A full cardiac arrest had caused a large damage to her brain. After many years of fight between Terri’s parents and husband and many lawsuits, the Schiavo's feeding tube was eventually disconnected on March 18, 2005. She died thirteen day later from hunger. Although every tests and experimental treatments run by Terri's doctors had showed that her condition was totally hopeless, her parents maintained they had some kind of psychical and eye contact with their daughter and wanted to keep her alive. Terri's husband wasn't strong enough to fight for her any longer. He was the one who wanted his wife to be left without medical support of life. After her death, an autopsy was carried out and it presented a massive brain damage and probably irreversible lack of neurons in her brain cortex . That would prove that any contact with Terri was impossible. Anyway, the Terri Schiavo case has become an excuse to discussion about a euthanasia that divided American public opinion and involved many politicians. I think it's very hard to clearly define where is the line between life and death in such cases. I also read that death from hunger and dehydratation is very painful, but there is no evidence that artificial supported people do not feel pain caused by their condition all the time. In spite of all doubt, some recent facts give a new look at the problem of euthanasia. The recent studies show that brains of people in coma are still active and the tests of new medications give a chance to “wake them up” in the future. There are a few cases of people woken up and brought back to life in the world. There might be more similar cases, but the most important thing is that medicine gives hope now. That makes me think over Terri's case again. Did Terri's husband really have the right to demand death for his wife when her parents saw the sign of consciousness in her eyes? What if scientists really find a way to reverse that terrible condition of coma? What would I do in such a situation? I'm inviting you to watch the short trailer of “The Terri Schiavo Story” and to discuss the subject.
Film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cki55BM42kw
Photo: actorjeanne.hostiko.com
This is really hard topic, there are many details which should be discuss because it's all about human lifes. But I really don't know what is the best solution in such a cases. Maybe husband of this woman didn't has a right to make the decision. Doctors still don't know enough about what happened when someone is in a coma. What if people who are in this horrible condition..what if they're also aware of everything what is going on in their surrounding and most important aware of each thing going on with them. I don't want to judge anybody but it's too complicated to make such a decisions, decide about someone's life.
ReplyDeleteAs our colleague mentioned this is a difficult subject. I think it should be legal (see for example Germany), but should only be used in special cases where a group, consisting of specialists and family members, are sure for 99% that this would be the best solution for the person who suffers.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to say what man should do in this case. Maybe you not agree with me but I think that husband made the right decision. If there weren't any cure for her and if she was really in so fatal state I think that he just made her free from pain. But if I want to be honest I have to admit that I don't know what I will do in this case. But I think that he has made correct decision.
ReplyDeleteI’m not surprise that family were seeing hope in her eyes, but people often see what they want to see. It’s very hard to say what they should do. But you have to remember that, after few years in coma people are disabled and theirs brain doesn’t work properly any more.
ReplyDeleteI think that no one can demand the death of other person, no matter in what relations they are and in what condition one of them is.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what exactly they should do. I think this is more complicated and no easy answer. But if I love and have hope, I will fight about her live.
ReplyDeleteAnother horrible, hypothetical situation that I'd never want to find myself in and I hope that I won't ever have to make such decissions. I just feel really bad for them.
ReplyDeleteI think that her husband's decision was good - in the long run. Finally she would have died in a worse pain. It is not an easy topic. There is no pattern to make the decision whether euthanasia can be conducted. It depends on a given case. As one of our friends wrote, specialists together with the whole family should decide on it. However, in my opinion it should be legalized. Being treated in a humanitarian way is our natural right. Anyway, I think that it won't be legalized soon in our Polish catholic country.
ReplyDeleteI think that euthanasia is good if the person is healthy mentally and consciously take a decision, doctors should help. It is about the caller blows different opinions and everyone is right. But the decision must be taken by a patient and family. Everyone has the right to decide about their lives.
ReplyDeleteI believe that people should speak very carefully about these issues. Here we are talking about human life. Often the decisions of doctors are not compatible with the faith of the patient. I do not think that it is easy to decide whether to live next to anyone in pain and suffering, whether it is better to die. I hope that I never had to decide alone. disease are also different, and sometimes it happens that suddenly a man recovers y doctors do not know how it could happen and they gave no chance for recovery.
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