Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!caen!spool.mu.edu!olivea!oliveb!bunker!hcap!hnews!161!56!Anton.Johnson
From: Anton.Johnson@f56.n161.z1.fidonet.org (Anton Johnson)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: EUTHANASIA
Message-ID: <16321@handicap.news>
Date: 21 Jun 91 13:53:55 GMT
Article-I.D.: handicap.16321
Sender: wtm@bunker.isc-br.com
Reply-To: Anton.Johnson@f56.n161.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:161/56 - Sonshine Express, Fremont CA
Lines: 38
Approved: wtm@bunker.hcap.fidonet.org

Index Number: 16321

Greetings Adrienne, I am not disabled so you can do with my message
as you please.

I am of the opinion that if a person has any possibility of having
a productive life even as a disabled person that the plug should
not be pulled. Productive life can take many different forms and
must be left up to personal definitions so I will not try to
discuss that topic unless someone wants to discuss it.

There is no cut and dry answer on the part of medical personal or
on the part of families or even the legal system on when one should
pull the plug on a patient in a hospital or care facility.  This is
a decision that should be made by an individual.  In many
situations the patient is unable to make their position known to
the care givers.  I believe that an individual should make a living
will.  In this way family members, medical personal and the
judicial system can know the desires of an individual when a
decision is to be made on what to do with the plug.

I do not think family members, medical personal or even the judical
system has the right to pull the plug without the living will
unless there is absolutely no possibility for survival.  I would
not consider a permanent vegative state (absolutely no response or
possibility of improvement) to be survival.  I do believe that one
who is comatose should be provided at a minimum feedings for the
purpose of survival.  I have heard of situations where one has
regained conscienceness after years of being comatose.

I do not believe the financial burden on a family should have any
relavence when it comes to meeting the needs of a patient.  Again,
I would like to stress the importance of a living will so others
may have a basis on which to make a decision.  Anton...

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!161!56!Anton.Johnson
Internet: Anton.Johnson@f56.n161.z1.fidonet.org