I just received this note from Jerri Ward, the indefatigable lawyer standing in the breach for potential futile care theory victims and their families: “I have good news concerning Yolang Vo. The hospital [St. David’s North Austin Medical Center]has extended the deadline until July 17 in . . . . Continue Reading »
The Senate hearing went well today. Senator Sam Brownback is a true gentleman, who treated both sides of the debate with dignity, courtesy, and respect. For those who are interested, here is my written testimony, primarily about the Netherlands and how it is relevant to the debate here in the USA. I . . . . Continue Reading »
I will be testifying before a United States Senate subcommittee on Thursday about the federal role in the assisted suicide debate. My focus will be on the vertical cliff off of which the Netherlands has fallen since it began permitting euthansia. Also testifying will be Rita Marker, head of the . . . . Continue Reading »
I am now convinced that the opening salvo for pushing medical futility to the forefront, which I have been predicting for several years was on its way, has begun. This note was sent to me from Elizabeth Graham of Texas Right to Life, which I reprint here with her permission. Remember, this is just . . . . Continue Reading »
The drug that may have awakened patients diagnosed with PVS is the sleep aid Ambien. The American Journal of Bioethics Blog gives more details, although I must say, they don’t seem too pleased at the . . . . Continue Reading »
If actually true, this story, published by the usually reliable Guardian, is amazing: Three patients who were unconscious for years in diagnosed persistent vegetative states (PVS), awakened after being given a certain sleeping medication. They interacted with their environment. And then, after four . . . . Continue Reading »
A few studies have looked into the emotional toll on doctors who participate in euthanasia and assisted suicide. This peer reviewed article makes it clear that mercy killing not only hurts the killed, but often the doctors who participate in the . . . . Continue Reading »
The controversy surrounding the declaration of the death of 14-year-old Michael J. Todd by neuorological criteria is over. The family obtained a second opinion and learned, to their sorrow, that their boy was indeed dead. The allegations of insensitive remarks made by a doctor have been denied by . . . . Continue Reading »
This is getting so huge: The Telegraph is reporting that animal rights extremists are going to hold a terrorist training camp to export their terror campaign throughout Europe. Included will be lethal means of fighting for “self defense.”The time has long since past for those in the . . . . Continue Reading »
As readers of Secondhand Smoke and my other writing know, I am trying to raise public awareness of futile care theory (medical futility), which I see as a profound threat to patient autonomy and the concept of equal moral worth among all human beings. The disability right movement “gets . . . . Continue Reading »
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