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Mrs. Wanglie and “Doctor Knows Best” and Making Decisions for Those Who Cannot Decide for Themselves: Autonomy in Two Recent Cases

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 December 2009

Fenella Rouse
Affiliation:
Executive Director, Choice in Dying Inc., the National Council for the Right To Die.

Extract

Since at least the Karen Ann Quinlan case, the idea of autonomy has always been central to the discussion about whether to given life-prolonging treatment. Those on different sides of the debate may disagree strongly about some of the issues, but the importance of the patient's autonomy has been accepted by people of widely different points of view.

Type
The Caduceus in Court
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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References

Notes

1. In re Quinlan, 70 N.J. 10, 355 A.2d 647, Cert. denied sub nom. Garger V. New Jersey, 429 U.S. 922, 50 L. Ed. 2d 289, 97 S. Ct. 319 (1976), overruled in part. In re Conroy, 98 N.J. 321. 486 A.2d 1209 (1985).Google Scholar

2. The Hastings Center. Guidelines on the termination of life-Sustaining Treatment and the Care of the Dying. The Hastings Center, 1987. Arles. “Autonomy” and the quality of life: the dismantling of moral terms. Issues in Law Medicine, 1987;2(6):421–33.Google ScholarPubMed

3. In re Conservatorship of Wanglie, No. PX–91–283 (Minn. Dist. Ct. Hennepin County July, 1991) (Belois, J.).Google Scholar

4. Anonymous. Docs seek o.k. to cease care if it grows futile. Healthweek 1991 jan. 28.Google Scholar

5. Anonymous. Judge rejects request by doctors to remove a patient's respirator. New York Times 1991 jul. 2.Google Scholar

6. In re Conservatorship of Wanglie, No. PX–91–283 (Minn. Dist. Ct. Hennepin County July, 1991) (Belois, J.).Google Scholar

7. Minn. Stat. Sec. 525.551, 525.239, Subd. 5,7 (1990).Google Scholar

8. In re Conservatorship of Wanglie, No. PX–91–283 (Minn. Dist. Ct. Hennepin County July, 1991) (Belois, J.).Google Scholar

9. See, e.g., Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health, 497 U.S. 0000, 110 S. Ct. 2841 (1990); In re Jobes, 108 N.J. 394, 529 A. 2d 434 (1987); In re Conservatorship of Drabick, 200 Cal. App. 3d 185, 245 Cal. Rptr. 840 (Cal. Ct. App. 1988), cert. denied, 102 L. Ed. 2d 387, 109 S. Ct. 399 (1988), rehearing denied, 102 L. Ed. 2d 816, 109 S. Ct. 828 (1989).Google Scholar

10. See, e.g., Anonymous. Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1991 May 26. Anonymous. San Francisco Examiner-Chronicle 1991 Jan. 31.Google Scholar

11. The Gallup Poll News Service. Mirror of America: Fear of Dying. 1991 jan. 6.Google Scholar

12. In re Lawrance, No. 29504–9106–CV–00460 (Ind. Sept. 17, 1991).Google Scholar

13. Anonymous. Americans favor mercy killing. Poll. Boston Globe 1991 Nov. 3.Google Scholar

14. In re Lawrance, No. 29504–9106–CV–00460 (Ind. Sept. 17, 1991).Google Scholar

15. Anonymous. Americans favor mercy killing. Poll. Boston Globe 1991 Nov. 3.Google Scholar