Terri Schiavo Should NOT Have Been Kept Alive Essay example -- Right t

Terri Schiavo Should NOT Have Been Kept AliveDoes a written document such(prenominal) as a living will decide when some one should die or should the verbal wishes of the incapacitated person be followed if known? Such as the controversy over when life begins, we now face the ultimate question of when does life end. In 1990, Terri Schiavo, a young Florida woman suffered a optic struggle caused by bulimia leaving her brain without oxygen for six minutes. According to medical opinions, she has limited involuntary physical movement. She has remained in a persistent vegetational state ever since. Terri did not have a living will or medical directive in place at the time of her heart attack. Michael Schiavo, Terris husband, has repeatedly sought the courts intervention to allow his wifes feeding tube to be removed and she be allowed to die. On more than one occasion Michael Schiavo testified before judges stating that his wifes wishes were to never be hooked up to a machine to save her life. He insists that she expressed this to him and others on more than one occasion. He further declares that she would rather die than to live as she is forced to do now. Others have also testified that this statement is true. In 1993 a court awarded Terri $1 million dollars in a medical malpractice suit, and granted her husband authority over the money to use for her care (Goldenberg, 2003).When questioned regarding his motives for wanting Terri to die, he emphatically denies her death would bring him any type of reward or satisfaction (Smith, 2004). If Terri dies her husband inherits the funds remaining in the malpractice suit. At the time of this writing, Terris husband lives with another woman and two children he has fathered with her without bei... ...2004, n.d.). Information about advance directives. Retrieved October 29, 2004, from http//www.health-first.org/hospitals_services/advance_directives.cfmHennesy, P. F. (2004, October 24). Varying degrees of disgust. The Sierra T imes, , . Retrieved October 31, 2004, from http//www.sierratimes.com/04/10/25/panhennessy.htmLama, D. (1973, n.d.). Dalai Lamas speech. Retrieved October 31, 2004, from http//www.purifymind.com/DalaiLama.htmlMartinez, M., & Kampert, P. (2003, October 23). State to probe familys get hold of of spousal abuse Agency to protect the disabled could have decisive role. Chicago Tribune, , 24.MedicineNet.Com (1996-2004, n.d.). Advance medical directives. Retrieved October 26, 2004, from http//www.medicinenet.com/advance_medical_directives/page2.htmSmith, W. J. (2004, January 19). Beyond Terris law. The Weekly Standard, 9(18), 14.