Euthanasia and the will to liveThe denial of food and liquids to Terri Schindler-Schiavo, the 36-year-old Florida woman in a vegetative state due to a heart attack, has caused Americans to reflect on the fact that any of them could find themselves in this woman's place for a variety of reasons, such as a car accident, a fall, an accident, etc. And most Americans don't want to be treated by their family the way Terri is treated. cared for by her husband, who was denied food and liquids to hasten his death. It is appropriate to be shocked, but no one should be shocked. The denial of food and liquids to people who cannot speak for themselves has been going on for fifteen years in this country. It's a routine practice in hospitals and nursing homes across the country. And for over a decade the law on the matter, established by numerous court decisions and statutes, has been largely resolved. If someone who is now unable to make healthcare decisions has not left clear instructions in a legal document (variously called an “advance directive,” “durable power of attorney for healthcare,” “living will,” or ...