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The Brophy case

Whose life is it?

Department of Neurology, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY, and Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY.

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.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Beresford, Department of Neurology, North Shore University Hospital, 300 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030.

Received November 19, 1986. Accepted for publication in final form March 10, 1987.