Who decides to “pull the plug” on a terminally ill family member?
Q: You’ve explained to us the Hermeneutics of Isaiah 53:5, and James 5:14: my follow-up question is, in the case of a terminally ill family member, who should decide when to discontinue life-support?”
A: Believe it or not, a majority of the time, this weighty decision is left/put into the hands of the neurosurgeon, whose caring for your loved one, because he’s considered the resident expert, in terms of whether or not your loved one is brain-dead.
There’s no straight answer, concerning when to pull the plug, however, there are ethical principles that should be considered, and the ACLS (Advance Cardiac Life Support) Training Association states, “The biggest pro of life support is that it sustains life for a longer period of time, allowing for hope and solutions. People against life support point to situations where it is clear that there are no chances of recovery and life support only prolongs the dying process. There are other considerations as well, such as what constitutes a good judgment of use of medical resources.”
However you view it, this weighty matter should not be based on your mood, behavior, or suggestions from friends; but should be made after gaining wise counsel from a joint committee of health care physician, mature family members, and minister.
The physician is needed because he is trained to maintain health and fight illness, and at the appointed time, communicate the diagnosis of the family member being terminally ill. The mature family members can help refocus hope despite the inevitability of death. And the minister is there, because the family desperately/seriously need spiritual guidance during this emotional time.
Comments (2)
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Pastor Peter Makotose
A well balanced explanation Dr Mike. Practically this is a complex and faith shaking experience. As Christians we believe that nothing is impossibke to God and He starts from where where we end. Relatives find it difficult to agree to the Surgeon’s advice because they view this as giving up on God’s ability.
Flo Carter
Unfortunately, I have been in this position twice. Long before my mother passed she had made it known that if the occasion ever arose that she did ‘NOT’ want her life prolonged or to be kept in a vegetative state. So, my family and I met and honored her wishes. Then later my husband was also in that situation and we too had discussed if he wanted his life prolonged as well and he stated, no. So, we are all going to pass at some point if Jesus doesn’t come beforehand and one of the things we all need to do is make our wishes known to family. Don’t put that burden on those left behind to live with the guilt of whether or not they did the right thing. And definitely do not let the medical personnel, who are NOT family decide for you. The decision is really yours. Is that the way you want to be kept?????????