Question

In this project, you will analyze the Terri Schiavo case through the lens of the bioethical issue(s) related to the case. You will address what the bioethical issue is and what role end-of-life issues, such as self-determination and advanced directives, played in the case. Using your analysis, you will determine how this bioethical issue impacted the decisions made by the healthcare professionals involved in the case. Specifically, your essay must address the following critical elements: I. Introduction: Describe the provided case, including information on the stakeholders involved, the bioethical issue, and the time period of the incident that occurred. II. Bioethical Analysis: Analyze the bioethical issue for the role end-of-life issues played in the case. Be sure to use appropriate terminology and support with secondary research. III. Conclusion: Describe how the bioethical issue influenced the decisions of healthcare professionals involved in the case. Be sure to use specific examples.

The Terri Schiavo case was a right-to-die legal case in the United States from 1990 to 2005, involving Theresa Marie Schiavo (/ˈʃaɪvoʊ/; December 3, 1963 – March 31, 2005), a woman in an irreversible persistent vegetative state. Schiavo's husband and legal guardian argued that Schiavo would not have wanted prolonged artificial life support without the prospect of recovery, and elected to remove her feeding tube. Schiavo's parents disputed her husband's assertions and challenged Schiavo's medical diagnosis, arguing in favor of continuing artificial nutrition and hydration.[1][2] The highly publicized and prolonged series of legal challenges presented by her parents, which ultimately involved state and federal politicians up to the level of President George W. Bush, caused a seven-year delay before Schiavo's feeding tube was ultimately removed.

Answer 1

I. Introduction:

Terri Schiavo's was at 26, collapsed at home and went into a coma. In May 1990, she regained from the coma but remained in the unconscious state. Her brain was damaged, but maintained her heart rate and blood pressure and was on the feeding tube. After prolonged treatment and rehabilitation program, she didn't show ant improvement. A battle started between the Schiavo's husband and parents. Her husband wanted to remove life support as she wishes to die and not to be on artificial support. But her parents wanted to challenge with her medical condition. The battle lasts on March 18, 2005, where the feeding tube was removed and she died on March 31.

II. Bioethical Analysis:

Everyone has the right to have a life and also everyone has their own wish in process of treatment and interventions during intermittent death. Patient wishes have taken as a power of attorney. Terri Schiavo's not wished to sustained on life support. Based on the principle of autonomy, everyone has the right to decide on their end of life. Life-sustaining support is to recover the patient from illness and not to prolong the life of patient artificially. According to Utilitarian Law, Health professionals have to do a benefit for the patient rather than harm. Prolonged life support will do harm to the patient. Life supporting treatment is futile in this case. It is her legal wish not to support with artificial nutrition.

III. Conclusion:

Terri Schiavo's story came to end after several issues and arguments. When analyzing the Terri physical and mental state, she is just alive with life support. So the removing of life support is the right decision by considering her intrinsic values when she is well and conscious.