Category Archives: bioethics

More on Vatican Statement on Tube Feeding – Reactions and Overreactions

bioethics, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, vegetative state

Last week, this blog briefly covered the news regarding the new statement from the Vatican clarifying the Church’s position on the obligation to provide food and water by artificial means in countries with advanced technology and resources. In the entry on the AJOB Bioethics Blog, Kelly Hills expresses these concerns: The clarification becomes important because … Continue reading More on Vatican Statement on Tube Feeding – Reactions and Overreactions →

Do bioethicists actually read the stories they post on blogs?

bioethics, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog, vegetative state

Last week, the news broke that the Vatican issued a ruling that “clarified” the Catholic Church’s position on artificial nutrition and hydration in regard to individuals diagnosed as being in a vegetative state. There will be more on this blog about this next week – mostly about some of the “the sky is falling” comments … Continue reading Do bioethicists actually read the stories they post on blogs? →

Diane Coleman and Steve Gold in Seattle Times Story

bioethics, life-ending decisions, media coverage, Our News & Commentary Blog, Steve Gold

Things are a little behind here, in terms of posting and commenting on news items. On Sunday, September 16th, Diane Coleman and Steve Gold were quoted in a Seattle Times article titled “Some favor slower right to die for paralyzed.” Not the best title, but a predictable one. An alternative and accurate title might have … Continue reading Diane Coleman and Steve Gold in Seattle Times Story →

Rush to Judgment Ends Lives of Newly Disabled

bioethics, medical decisionmaking, Our News & Commentary Blog

I recently attended a medical ethics seminar held at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago that reaffirmed medical practice guidelines about brain injury. Doctors continue to agree that it is necessary to wait before they can predict brain injury outcomes with reasonable, though they also admit not total, certainty. For traumatic brain injury (e.g. car accidents), … Continue reading Rush to Judgment Ends Lives of Newly Disabled →

Miracles, Malpractice, Survivors and Recovery

bioethics, coma, life-ending decisions, Our News & Commentary Blog, vegetative state

Last week, during the national ADAPT Action here in Chicago, several people forwarded one of those stories that brought to mind Yogi Berra’s “This is like deja vu all over again.” The story that provoked this “I’ve seen this before” feeling was about Jill Finley, who came out of a coma – 14 days after … Continue reading Miracles, Malpractice, Survivors and Recovery →