Category Archives: bioethics

Art Caplan “Debunks” 23-year Misdiagnosis of PVS in Belgium, But Omits Some Details

Over the past week, there has been a lot of news coverage regarding the case of Rom Houben, a man in Belgium who was labeled as being in a persistent vegetative state.  He was severely injured in an auto accident in 1983, and since shortly after that has been regarded as being in a persistent … Continue reading Art Caplan “Debunks” 23-year Misdiagnosis of PVS in Belgium, But Omits Some Details

BMJ Editor Says He Doesn’t “Get” Disability Opposition to Assisted Suicide – Is He Really That Stupid or Just a Liar?

I’m late getting to this one. Last month BMJ published an editorial by Deputy Editor Tony Delamothe titled “Assisted Dying: what’s disability got to do with it?“ Here’s his intro: The debate on assisted dying has been hijacked by disabled people who want to live. It needs to be reclaimed for terminally ill people who … Continue reading BMJ Editor Says He Doesn’t “Get” Disability Opposition to Assisted Suicide – Is He Really That Stupid or Just a Liar?

Peter Singer in the NY Times: Disabled Lives Worth Less, Hypothetically

The New York Times, which seems to be absolutely enthralled with Peter Singer, has a long essay written by him in its magazine section right now – and which will be in Sunday’s edition. Titled “Why We Must Ration Health Care,” it’s a complex discussion of public policy and health care drawing on a multitude … Continue reading Peter Singer in the NY Times: Disabled Lives Worth Less, Hypothetically

Tom Shakespeare Makes a Less Than Honest Case For Assisted Suicide

Tom Shakespeare is well-known in the disability community in the UK. In the US, it’s mostly the disability studies community that is familiar with him. Shakespeare has his feet planted in the realms of disability rights, bioethics and disability studies. Over the past couple of years, Shakespeare has taken a strong position favoring legalization of … Continue reading Tom Shakespeare Makes a Less Than Honest Case For Assisted Suicide