It is said continually since removal of Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube that the courts are defying the wishes of the majority of Americans when in reality that simply is not true. Over seventy percent think of it as a pragmatic, if not a serious medical decision and not a moral one. This issue is provoked by the religious right that opposes even living wills concerning the right to die; in its judgment only God has that right by religious proxy.
What makes this case bazaar is that the most important bodily function, the brain, is dead and precludes the natural function of food intake. The religionists argue that it is not the same as “pulling the plug” when other bodily functions are so impaired that death is inevitable and the patient is spared a painful termination. Whereas in Terri’s case she has all her bodily functions but for that which makes her human and in a fortunate sense free of pain. For fifteen years she has been treated as a favorite house plant on the decline, requiring constant watering and nutrition.
Of course, when the lawsuit money ran out several years ago, Medicaid kicked in and in reality the husband and parents have really no say in the matter even though it can be argued that if taxpayers’ money can continue to feed those on death row, we should be humane enough to supply nutrition to an innocent victim of disease or injury. The apple/orange dilemma always seems to rear up in these situations. If for instance Terri had had a living will that stated under no circumstance should the plug be pulled, regardless of the financial burden on the family and taxpayer, there would be no demonstrations outside the hospice as her “life” would continue indefinitely. Yet at the same time had she formally expressed euthanasia, there would be no issue either, except for those adamant about the right to live.
In face of this there has been a rush to living wills among many; yet it doesn’t solve the problem if in writing the patient insists that he or she go on “living” — mainly owing to religious beliefs supporting the “life culture.”
The irony here is that those with strong beliefs in divine intervention are denying that possibility by wanting poor Terri artificially alive. Perhaps they should have more faith in that God might pinch her tomorrow and tell her to order a meal.
Copyright © 2005 Richard R. Kennedy All rights reserved. Revised: March 2 9, 2005.
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