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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 7 page paper discusses the controversy regarding end of life care. The Terri Shiavo case is mentioned. Utilitarianism is defined and that model is used to examine the issue along with the concept of the sanctity of life. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
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7 pages (~225 words per page)
File: RT13_SA623PVS.rtf
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complex. First, before examining the problem, a definition should be provided. What is a persistent vegetative state? Wade (2001) defines it as follows: " The permanent vegetative state is diagnosed
when a patient is unaware of himself or herself and his or her environment and there is no prospect of any change in this state by any means" (p.352). It
would seem as if the dilemma as to what to do would be made easier if the state of consciousness of an individual were easily discernable. Unfortunately, that is not
the case. There are gradations of awareness between the persistent vegetative state and full awareness (Wade, 2001). Also, it is hard to diagnose the state because there are no specific
tests (Wade, 2001). Doctors must rely on their personal observations, knowledge and other cases in making a determination. It is not only that medicine has failed to come up
with a diagnostic test, but it stands to reason that there will never be one. There is much argumentation in the realm of medicine and philosophy in respect to what
consciousness is exactly (Wade, 2001). Many will remember in the Terry Shiavo case that her family had been certain that her eyes following the balloon, and certain gestures, were definite
responses to the environment and evidence of consciousness, but the doctors disagreed. Actually there was disagreement between many experts and family members. In the end, there was little anyone could
do to discern a proper, definite diagnosis. There are other cases besides Schiavos, but hers is the most memorable. Karen Ann Quinlen had been another young girl
who was thrust into this state, and fed with a tube. Perhaps a lesser known case comes from the Netherlands where Ineke Stinissen was put into such a state in
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