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"Vegetative State" Patients Can Communicate
Kittenman writes "The BBC is carrying a story about researchers in the UK and Belgium who can detect the thinking processes within a patient previously thought to be in a vegetative state. The researchers ask the patient verbally to think in certain ways to indicate a 'yes', in other ways to indicate a 'no' — and have successfully communicated with 4 out of 23 patients previously thought to be in a coma."
Relative: "Oh, I just don't know what he would want! I can't make this decision for him..."
Doctor: "Well, thanks to recent breakthroughs we may be able to ask him directly. Lets just get him into this MRI..."
Doctor: "The results are clear, we were able to communicate with him and he was very adamant about stopping all treatment. He clearly does not want to live out his remaining days in this state, and I don't think anyone could blame him for that."
Relative: "If that's his wish then yes, lets stop all treatment."
Doctor (after Relative leaves): "Intern, prep this body for organ harvesting."
Intern: Doctor, I saw the MRI results myself, he definitely didn't want to die.
Doctor: He has no health insurance since he can't work now. Alive, he's a liability for the state. But as an organ donor, he's worth millions. And no one will ever know anyway. We're practically doing him a favor.
Disconnect your television. Do your own research. Draw your own conclusions. They're probably lying. Don't be a sheep.
Given that most of Schiavo's "supporters" think awareness is caused by souls rather than brains, I don't think facts about her condition are going to have much influence on their views.
I wouldn't be so sure... many of her supporters seemed fully aware, yet lacked any brains whatsoever.
Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.
Metallica sucks donkey balls.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on