WA, USA: Assisted Suicide Advocates Push Documents for People with Dementia to “Refuse” Spoon-Feeding

November 4, 2017advance directives, assisted suicide, Our News & Commentary Blog, spoon-feeding, Washington stateadvance directives, assisted suicide, dementia, spoon-feeding, Washington stateStephen Drake

…and want to eat and drink, the authors note. “If I accept food and drink (comfort feeding) when they’re offered to me, I want them,” the document states. But if the person appears indifferent to eating, or shows other signs of not wanting food — turning away, not willingly opening their mouth, spitting food out, coughing or choking — the document says attempts to feed should be stopped. And the guidelines tell caregivers to respect those actions….

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

October 6, 2007"end of life", bioethics, life-ending decisions, Our News & Commentary BlogStephen Drake

…of-Life Case in Massachusetts Reaches Critical Point” was the title bioethicist Alicia Ouellette gave her posting on the AJOB bioethics blog – and before any decision had been made on withdrawal of a feeding tube from 11-year-old Haleigh Poutre, whose treatment withdrawal was sought by the state less than two weeks post-injury. Was Ouellette predicting the outcome of the court battle over her life with the title? The judge in the case did rule tha…

Italy: Eluana Englaro is Dead – Questions Remain

February 10, 2009"end of life", Italy, media coverage, Our News & Commentary Blog, policy, politics, vegetative stateStephen Drake

…hrough a feeding tube. Wikipedia describes “force-feeding” this way: Force-feeding, which in some circumstances is also called gavage, is the practice of feeding a person or an animal against their will. The image that the term “force-feeding” conjures is a violent act inflicted against an unwilling and resisting “victim.” How can a person described as permanently unconscious resist? How can she be “force-fed?” Answer – she can’t. The use of the t…

ADAPT’s Bob Kafka Interviews Diane Coleman About NDY & COVID-19 On Barrier Free Futures

April 14, 2020ADAPT, bioethics, Bob Kafka, COVID-19, dredf, futility, healthcare rationing, media coverage, Our News & Commentary BlogBob Kafka, COVID-19, Dredf, healthcare rationing, TriageDiane Coleman

…nt being issued, is that they were getting complaints that maybe local policies were becoming evident that would show what type of triage would take place. And I know that the New York policy, which is where I live, says that, people who are less likely to survive will be less likely to get ventilator support in the hospital. And there’s also concern that people who already use some type of advanced breathing support, if they take it to the hospit…

George Exoo Free – Extradition Request Denied

October 26, 2007assisted suicide, crime and punishment, george exoo, Our News & Commentary BlogStephen Drake

…assisted suicide and euthanasia, said VanDervort’s comment on assisted suicide laws in the United States was overreaching. “That’s awfully broad. There is certainly enough instances of people being prosecuted in various states,” Drake said. “I think there are people in Ireland who would have wanted to see this played out in court,” he said. “But, on the other hand, it looks like the government gave it its best case.” OK, they forgot to mention we…