Schiavo Pt. Four

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Ned
Apparently you can destroy brain matter, but the functions previously performed by the destroyed tissue can be assumed by other tissue.

That depends on how much of the brain is left. If her whole cerebral cortex hadn't been destroyed, this might have been possible.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by Jaguar
DIE THREAD

Is this one of those occasions when one gets to say, "Own goal"?

[Alexander's Horse]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara


That depends on how much of the brain is left. If her whole cerebral cortex hadn't been destroyed, this might have been possible.

Some people are born like that - should they be starved to death too?

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Kidicious
The brains have to want to regenerate.

to your outstanding grasp of biology

[Ned]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse


Some people are born like that - should they be starved to death too?

I think we ultimately end up with a "quality of life" determination by the family and the courts. If you read the judge's multiple opinions in this case, it is clear that "quality of life" was the gravamon of the decision by the court.

This descision can quickly be extended to situations where the person, under no terminal disease, cannot live a "normal" life. Severely handicapped or retarded people, or those suffering severe chronic pain, will be next.

But you say, those cases do no involve withdrawing a feeding tube. True, but this case did more than just withdraw a feeding tube, did it not? The court's order actively prevented anyone from giving Terri food or water by other means.

[Alexander's Horse]

yeah I think we're on a slippery slope here

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
Some people are born like that - should they be starved to death too?

I don't think anyone's endorsing starvation, dip****.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
yeah I think we're on a slippery slope here

A slope of conseravtive stupidity.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker


to your outstanding grasp of biology

Yeah, well you know if they don't regenerate they must not want to really. That's perfect logic.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Ned
This descision can quickly be extended to situations where the person, under no terminal disease, cannot live a "normal" life. Severely handicapped or retarded people, or those suffering severe chronic pain, will be next.

[Dis]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
yeah I think we're on a slippery slope here

I hate that term. It doesn't apply here. Common sense will win out. Do you all think americans will stand idly by while the goverment slaughters millions of disabled people?

and don't go on about the nazis. If people can't see the difference between nazi germany and the U.S., then they belong in a concentration camp . Freedom of press and speech will ensure every single death is known to every american.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Dissident


I hate that term. It doesn't apply here. Common sense will win out. Do you all think americans will stand idly by while the goverment slaughters millions of disabled people?

and don't go on about the nazis. If people can't see the difference between nazi germany and the U.S., then they belong in a concentration camp . Freedom of press and speech will ensure every single death is known to every american.

Government?

No, their relatives. It is just a matter of time. The Supremes in Cruzan and other cases held there was a "liberty" right under the Due Process Clause that prevented states from placing bans on relatives who wanted to pull the plug on their incapacitated family members. What happened in Florida was worse than just pulling the plug, as we all know. The Florida courts there ordered that neither the parents or anyone else could provide food and water to Terri. The Federal Courts seems more than uninterested. They seem downright hostile to reviewing the Florida case.

I understand that the Oregon statute that permits assisted suicide is going to be reviewed by the Supremes. Now, given the apathy of the Court in the Schiavo case, how do you think they will come out in that case?

[Q Classic]

Q Cubed, your bit about the brain "regenerating" is something I didn't know about until a doctor called into a talk show today and explained the phenomenon. Apparently you can destroy brain matter, but the functions previously performed by the destroyed tissue can be assumed by other tissue. Also, this ability declines with age. But Terri was 26 when the event happened, which might be young enough.

it's young enough to regenerate some of its functions... or it would be, if her enough of her cortex remained.

the one flaw to your bizarre hope in this case is the simple fact that there really wasn't enough of her cortex to rewire and assume such function--and the other parts, such as the cerebellum and the medulla, are incapable of assuming higher consciousness.

[Pekka]

I don't have a problem with people defending that someone should not be assisted to die. Only when it doesn't include everyone, you and me. Just some people. THat is.. h y p o c ... you know the rest.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Ned
I understand that the Oregon statute that permits assisted suicide is going to be reviewed by the Supremes. Now, given the apathy of the Court in the Schiavo case, how do you think they will come out in that case?

I'm hopeing it will be a victory to those of us who think poeple should be allowed to live and die with dignity instead of being forced to remain alive to satisfy some religious person's emotions.