The Vegetative State
Subtitle: Medical Facts, Ethical and Legal Dilemmas
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: April 1, 2002
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 242
ISBN-13: 9780521441582
Subjects: Medical ethics; Pathophysiology; Diseases Of Central Nervous System; Physiological Pathology; Medical / Nursing; Medical; Persistent vegetative state; Ethics; Medical Law & Legislation; Neurology - General; Medical / Ethics
First sentence: When Jennett and Plum in 1972 coined the term persistent vegetative state, in a Lancet paper subtitled 'A syndrome in search of a name' (1), they were neither the first to describe this condition nor the first to propose a name.
Description: "The strange and harrowing sight of a person being awake but unaware with no evidence of a working mind - characteristics of the vegetative state - provokes intense debate and raises profound questions for health professionals, ethicists, philosophers and lawyers. This unique account by an unrivalled expert in the field, who himself collaborated in coining the term 'persistent vegetative state', surveys the medical, ethical and legal issues that surround this controversial topic. The medical definition and criteria for diagnosis are discussed, as are its frequency and causes, and possible outcomes. These range from some recovery to death, with some surviving indefinitely in a vegetative state, which some people believe is a fate worse than death. Ethical arguments discussed include the conflict between sanctity of life and respect for the autonomy and best interests of the victim, and between killing and letting die. Legal issues are explored with details of landmark court cases from the USA, Britain and elsewhere. This well-informed and carefully constructed account will be a benchmark for medical specialists, ethicists, philosophers and lawyers."--Jacket.