This episode presented an interesting situation. A woman vounteered to be a surrogate mother for her friends. Something happened so that she was in a coma and wouldn't wake up. Her husband knew she wouldn't want to live like that so he wanted to pull the plug immediately. However, the triplets she was carrying were not viable on their own for a a few more weeks. The parents obviously wanted to keep the woman alive long enough so their children would be born. So, who's decision is it? The husband said his wife would not want to be kept alive on a respirator, which I believe is true, if it was just her life on the line. However, since she was keeping the children alive as well, I think the patient would want to stay on the ventilator for the children sake. Then once they were born, I believe the respirator could be pulled. I understand the husband's gusto in not wanting to see his beloved wife in that condition, however, I think to maximize utility, she should be kept alive for the sake of the children.
I agree with Dana. The surrogate went into the situation knowing the dangers of carrying triplets and while her and her husband many have discussed life prolonging options, this is a very different situation. There are three other lives to take into account. I think the judge made the appropriate decision from the utilitarian stand point, looking at the greater good of everyone. Pulling the plug would have lost four lives, keeping her alive for 6 more weeks saves three. The husband can then do as he sees in the best interest of his wife and family once the other three lives are safe.
I think that the woman should be kept alive until the children would be viable on their own. Not only does this issue involve ending the life of the woman, but the issue of abortion comes into play. Who has the right to the children, the woman in the coma and her husband, or the biological parents of the children? If chilren's lives fall under the restriction of the biological parents then I do not think the husband of the woman in the coma can willingly abort the children.
I think this episode was completely messed up. I feel for the biological parents of the babies, but I also understand that the lady and her husband probably had a plan of what to do in case of this kind of situation so I think that they should have the right to decide what to do since it is that woman and her body that is being kept alive. I think that the husband should have the right to decide what happens to his wife since he is the decision maker for her since she is not capable of making the decision herself.
Hey guys, This is very interesting! Ultimately, I agree that the wife should be kept on the respirator. I understand that this would be incredibly hard for the husband, but the only thing that taking his wife off the respirator would do is end three more lives that haven't had the chance to live yet. Keeping his wife on the respirator will do no more damage to his wife because she is already gone. It can only do good by saving the lives of three babies.
This episode presented an interesting situation. A woman vounteered to be a surrogate mother for her friends. Something happened so that she was in a coma and wouldn't wake up. Her husband knew she wouldn't want to live like that so he wanted to pull the plug immediately. However, the triplets she was carrying were not viable on their own for a a few more weeks. The parents obviously wanted to keep the woman alive long enough so their children would be born. So, who's decision is it? The husband said his wife would not want to be kept alive on a respirator, which I believe is true, if it was just her life on the line. However, since she was keeping the children alive as well, I think the patient would want to stay on the ventilator for the children sake. Then once they were born, I believe the respirator could be pulled. I understand the husband's gusto in not wanting to see his beloved wife in that condition, however, I think to maximize utility, she should be kept alive for the sake of the children.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dana. The surrogate went into the situation knowing the dangers of carrying triplets and while her and her husband many have discussed life prolonging options, this is a very different situation. There are three other lives to take into account. I think the judge made the appropriate decision from the utilitarian stand point, looking at the greater good of everyone. Pulling the plug would have lost four lives, keeping her alive for 6 more weeks saves three. The husband can then do as he sees in the best interest of his wife and family once the other three lives are safe.
ReplyDeleteI think that the woman should be kept alive until the children would be viable on their own. Not only does this issue involve ending the life of the woman, but the issue of abortion comes into play. Who has the right to the children, the woman in the coma and her husband, or the biological parents of the children? If chilren's lives fall under the restriction of the biological parents then I do not think the husband of the woman in the coma can willingly abort the children.
ReplyDeleteI think this episode was completely messed up. I feel for the biological parents of the babies, but I also understand that the lady and her husband probably had a plan of what to do in case of this kind of situation so I think that they should have the right to decide what to do since it is that woman and her body that is being kept alive. I think that the husband should have the right to decide what happens to his wife since he is the decision maker for her since she is not capable of making the decision herself.
ReplyDeleteHey guys,
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting! Ultimately, I agree that the wife should be kept on the respirator. I understand that this would be incredibly hard for the husband, but the only thing that taking his wife off the respirator would do is end three more lives that haven't had the chance to live yet. Keeping his wife on the respirator will do no more damage to his wife because she is already gone. It can only do good by saving the lives of three babies.