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(excerpted from an article by Julie Grimstad)
In our modern world, many people have been misled into thinking that right
and wrong depend on the situation. For instance, killing an innocent
person is always wrong, yet many people believe it should be permissible
to intentionally cause the death of someone who is suffering .
Medical decision-making, in particular, calls for sound moral guidance.
The Church informs us that every human being, regardless of age, ability,
or state of health, is of incalculable worth. This belief is the basis for
moral medical decision-making.
Withdrawal of food and fluids from seriously ill or persistently
non-responsive patients is a medical decision not to be made lightly.
Nutrition and hydration are sometimes withdrawn not because a patient is
dying, but precisely because a patient is not dying (or not dying quickly
enough) and someone believes it would be better if he or she did,
generally because the patient is perceived as having an unacceptably low
quality of life or as imposing burdens on others.
Providing food and fluids is ordinary/obligatory care, not medical
treatment. There is a big moral difference between discontinuing hopeless
medical procedures and taking away the ordinary means of preserving life,
such as feeding, hydration and normal medical care. When any doubt
exists about the right decision to make, the Church teaches that the
presumption should be in favor of providing nutrition and hydration.
Much is at stake when we make medical decisions for ourselves or for
family members. Every human life is worthy of our diligent care and
unwavering respect.
Here are some practical "rules" for making moral decisions
regarding nutrition and hydration, whether the patient is fed orally or
through a tube:
• While inserting a feeding tube may require surgery or other medical
expertise, food and fluids themselves are not medical treatment because
they do not cure; they sustain life.
• Removing food and fluids from those able to eat and drink on their own
or with the assistance of another person is never appropriate.
• Tube-feeding persistently non-responsive patients is obligatory in
most cases since it is beneficial and usually does not add a serious
burden.
• For terminally ill patients, the provision of food and fluids is
generally obligatory care.
• When death is so close that further nutrition and hydration will no
longer sustain life, they may be discontinued if the patient is more
comfortable without them.
also see Death by Dehydration
Excerpted from a book by Wesley J. Smith "Forced Exit: The Slippery
Slope From Assisted Suicide to Legalized Murder." |