The Brophy case: whose life is it?

Abstract

A Massachusetts court recently authorized withdrawal of nutrition from an adult in a chronic vegetative state where he had, while healthy, stated that he would not want his life sustained if he were permanently unconscious. The court rejected the view that a decision to withdraw life-supporting treatment could be made on the basis of "quality of life" determinations by persons other than the patient. In this respect, the decision should not be perceived as a step toward arranged deaths for those who lack the capacity to enjoy someone else's version of life or who are seen by others as social burdens.