Must Read: “Schrödinger’s Cat & Donation after Cardiac Death”

April 21, 2009bioethics, blog recommendations, dick sobsey, kaylee wallace, organ donation, Our News & Commentary BlogStephen Drake

…The cats fate is linked to some random event inside the box. Applying the rules of quantum physics the cat is both dead and alive until we can open the box and and directly determine its state. Common sense would suggest that surely the cat is either dead or alive inside the box, whether we know it or not, but applying the rules of quantum physics, the actual state does not come into being until the moment that we measure it. Of course, Schröding…

Patients’ Rights Bill Stalled in Texas – Bill Backed by Disability Advocates, Right to Life and ACLU

May 12, 2009futile care, futility, legislation, life-ending decisions, Our News & Commentary Blog, texasStephen Drake

…viders” might be more accurate). Here’s the latest from the Dallas Morning News: AUSTIN, Texas – Those who want to extend the time some hospital patients may live before their life support is cut off are worried that their proposal is running into a wall at the Capitol. Legislation by state Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, would require life-sustaining treatment to continue for patients whose condition is deemed futile by doctors until a transfer to…

Seattle Elder Law Attorney Discusses What Lawyers Should Be Telling Clients About “Death With Dignity” Act

May 14, 2009assisted suicide, elder law, legislation, margaret dore, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality checkStephen Drake

…one of your clients is considering a “Death with Dignity” decision, it is prudent to be sure that they are aware of the Act’s gaps. What to Tell Clients 1. Signing the form will lead to a loss of control By signing the form, the client is taking an official position that if he dies suddenly, no questions should be asked. The client will be unprotected against others in the event he changes his mind after the lethal prescription is filled and decid…

Phil. Inquirer: Art Caplan Delivers Some Truth About Kevorkian, But Misses (or Evades) His Real Impact on Assisted Suicide Movement

June 11, 2009Art Caplan, assisted suicide, barbara coombs lee, blog recommendations, Kevorkian, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, Timothy QuillStephen Drake

…kian in a movie for HBO, Caplan thought it was time to do some preemptive truth-telling about Jack Kevorkian. His commentary is titled “The truth: Kevorkian was less than noble.” Caplan does an excellent job in describing the callous, self-aggrandizing reality behind the mythology that was built around the man: Kevorkian was always about Jack as much as he was about the strangers he briefly met and dispatched. When I asked him once if he were awar…

Update: (NYS) Chemung County Attorney Withdraws Request to Remove Gary Harvey’s Feeding Tube

July 28, 2009life-ending decisions, litigation, neglect, Our News & Commentary Blog, Surrogate Decisions & GuardianshipStephen Drake

…who called Monday “a big victory.” Remaining open is the issue of a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. According to Thomson’s letter, a DNR order has been issued in the case. As the article indicates, this doesn’t end the struggle. Ultimately, Sara wants to have her husband home where he can be supported and cared for. There’s more to the article – Sara invites people to leave comments on the article on the newspaper site. –Stephen Drake…