Re: America keeps going in and out with Terry Schiavo's breathing tube

From: Frank Dwyer (fdwyer_at_XcitlinkX.net)
Date: 03/20/05 

Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2005 22:56:49 GMT

DavidN wrote:

> She's not medically brain dead. PVS is not brain dead. >>
>
> Thanks for the hair splitting. That really advances the discussion.

Misrepresenting her condition does?

> She is unable to speak and she is unable to feed herself. Please
> describe the legal and medical distinctions here in practical every day
> terms between being legally, medically brain dead and in a vegative
> state.

A persistent vegetative state (commonly, but incorrectly, referred to as
"brain-death") sometimes follows a coma. Individuals in such a state
have lost their thinking abilities and awareness of their surroundings,
but retain non-cognitive function and normal sleep patterns. Even though
those in a persistent vegetative state lose their higher brain
functions, other key functions such as breathing and circulation remain
relatively intact. Spontaneous movements may occur, and the eyes may
open in response to external stimuli. They may even occasionally
grimace, cry, or laugh. Although individuals in a persistent vegetative
state may appear somewhat normal, they do not speak and they are unable
to respond to commands.

Brain death is the irreversible loss of all brain activity.

> Also can a technically brain dead individual also be, at the same
> time, in a vegative state?

Of course. It's kind of a given.