All posts by Stephen Drake

New Yorker: “Silent Minds” – article on PVS research and consciousness

(Thanks to Denise Karuth for the heads up on this) “Silent Minds” by Jerome Groopman is in the latest edition of the New Yorker magazine. It’s a summary of the research into the consciousness of people labeled with persistent vegetative state (PVS) and minimally conscious state (MCS). Much of it will be familiar to readers … Continue reading New Yorker: “Silent Minds” – article on PVS research and consciousness

“Ashley X” Doctor Commits Suicide

Early reports on the death of Dr. Daniel F. Gunther didn’t have any information regarding his reasons for killing himself on September 30. The stories did spend some time talking about the controversy and his role in the “Ashley X” debate, even flirting with the idea that somehow the controversy might have played a role … Continue reading “Ashley X” Doctor Commits Suicide

British “Ashley X” – Americans With Disabilities Affirm Katie Thorpe’s Right to Bodily Integrity

It had to happen sooner or later. The U.K. has its own “Ashley X” or “Pillow Angel” case making headlines right now. Fortunately, disability advocates and activists are much more prominent than they were in coverage of the “Ashley X” case. Coverage in the U.S. was dominated by transhumanists masquerading as “experts” on developmental disabilities … Continue reading British “Ashley X” – Americans With Disabilities Affirm Katie Thorpe’s Right to Bodily Integrity

“End of Life” – Questions and a Suggested Response for Disability Advocates

`That’s a great deal to make one word mean,’ Alice said in a thoughtful tone. `When I make a word do a lot of work like that,’ said Humpty Dumpty, `I always pay it extra.’ — Lewis Carroll Bioethicists and other healthcare advocates must be paying a bundle to the term “end of life,” using … Continue reading “End of Life” – Questions and a Suggested Response for Disability Advocates

FDA, Lack of Oversight and Doctors Who Break the Law

As usual, I’m a little late catching up with some of the news. Last week, Art Caplan emailed me a link to his latest column, describing a disturbing report issued by the Department of Health and Human Services. As usual, when writing on this topic, he is right on target in describing the problem: A … Continue reading FDA, Lack of Oversight and Doctors Who Break the Law