Finally?
March 24th, 2005 | by Todd W |TCS: Tech Central Station - Is There Really a ‘New Diagnosis’ for Terri Schiavo?
Finally, someone steps up and answers some questions.
The medical reality of Ms. Schiavo’s case is this: She has been in what is medically referred to as a “permanent vegetative state” for the past 15 years, ever since her heart temporarily stopped (probably due to the severe effects of an eating disorder), depriving her brain of oxygen. Brain scans indicate that her cerebral cortex ceased functioning — probably just after she experienced cardiac arrest in 1990. Ms. Schiavo’s CAT scan shows massive shrinking of the brain, and her EEG is flat. Physicians confirm that there is no electrical activity coming from her brain. While the family video repeatedly shown on television suggests otherwise, her non-functioning cortex precludes cognition, including any ability to interact or communicate with people or show any signs of awareness. Dozens of experts over the years who have examined Ms. Schiavo agree that there is no hope of her recovering — even though her body, face and eyes (if she is given food and hydration) might continue to move for decades to come.
A search on the American Council for Science and Health suggests they are a trustworthy group. Therefore, it seems to me that my question of her mental status has been answered.
As much as I detest the actions of the husband, it seems that the feeding tube removal has met the criteria of the law, and what follows is consistent with the laws drafted by duly elected officials.
Now we move on to things that can be modified by the electorate. Do we wish to classify food and water delivery as ‘life support’? How does this effect handicapped people who need tubes, but are otherwise mentally functional? What of potential custodial abuse in choice of care? Should spousal rights be honored when the marriage is ‘in name’ only?
We need to refine the entire end of life process so that something like this doesn’t happen again. It is time for a rational debate outside of the emotional totem of a dying woman, so that the next Terri Schiavo, regardless of her mental condition, will have her day in court to protect her interests.
Whatever Terri wanted is unknowable, and under the law, what follows from here is sanctioned and appropriate. Those who don’t like it have the task before them of lobbying lawmakers and fellow voters through the traditional process of elections.
Both sides need to have the debate out in the open and through the proxies of political candidates. It serves no one to debate in the middle of the night on the courthouse steps. The law seems to have been fullfilled, therefore interested parties need to look forward to the next battle.
