4.5 Persistent Vegetative State [PVS]

When brain stem functions remain--for example, when breathing occurs naturally despite a lack of cognitive awareness--the person's condition is described as persistent vegetative state. The discussion of PVS has been brought into the courts and the news by cases such as one involving a woman in Florida whose husband and parents disagree about her condition and prognosis. Read the accounts of the contrasting experiences of her parents' description of Terri's Story and her husband, Michael, and respond to the following:

*If either of these two sites is unavailable, query the names 'Michael Schiavo' and 'Terri Schiavao' on Google to access hundreds of articles written about this case.

1			Summarize the position of Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler.
2			Summarize Michael Schiavo's position.
3			What is your position? Explain your reasoning.