tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10381465.post3566349000165898092..comments2008-09-22T22:36:57.604-07:00Wesley J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087063614354714652wjs@wesleyjsmith.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10381465.post-84050248763065507212008-09-22T22:36:00.000-07:002008-09-22T22:36:00.000-07:00So, now we can actually ask at least some PVS patients whether they wish to die or not, and the brain scanner can tell us whether they said 'yes' or 'no'. We can let them judge how much pain they're in and whether they want to die, rather than relying on family and/or doctors to make those decisions. This is good.<BR/><BR/>Now, I'd just hope they also ask them whether they want to be dehydrated (i.e. put in more pain before they die), or assisted to die painlessly.Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18166542310875643992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10381465.post-52703361984762314422008-09-22T20:55:00.000-07:002008-09-22T20:55:00.000-07:00Well said Helm. Thanks for stopping by.<BR/><BR/>Lydia: Yikes, indeed. And it reflects a mindset among some that what matters in these situations are the family members moving on, rather than the patient.Wesley J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087063614354714652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10381465.post-51321534540674145822008-09-22T19:36:00.000-07:002008-09-22T19:36:00.000-07:00Wow, I just read the whole article. Fascinating material, well-done factually. The author repeatedly stresses that PVS people are not dead and that PVS should not be confused with brain death. The advances in diagnosis and possible treatment are exciting.<BR/><BR/>But my goodness. That bit about Mrs. K's family who would be "devastated" if scans revealed minimal brain activity was just chilling. I couldn't tell how much the author's heart was in it. It was almost as if the author felt it had to be put in for "balance" or something. But it was so creepy. "Mr. K has another partner." Aw, poor, poor Mr. K. He's already with another woman, you see. Planning to let his wife be dehydrated to death so he can get on with his life with the new woman. How terrible it would be for him if Mrs. K were found to be aware of her surroundings and not die after all!<BR/><BR/>Yikes.Lydia McGrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00423567323116960820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10381465.post-58259400653743306882008-09-22T19:29:00.000-07:002008-09-22T19:29:00.000-07:00Wesley: This is an excellent article and commentary. This seems to follow the trend of de-valuing the intrinsic worth of humans who happen to be ill. Those pandering the "reflex" mantra are only seeing the very ill as things with reflexes. What an utterly intolerable and narrow view of a majestic human being.Helm Hammerhandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498735865808201961noreply@blogger.com