Public Rejects Involuntary Denial of Food and Water, Medical Treatment.

The tragic death of Terri Schiavo has been used by proponents of "living wills" to lecture Americans that they ought to put their treatment wishes in writing. National Right to Life believes Americans ought to sign a pro-life living will, NRLC's Will to Live. (See www.nrlc.org.)

But there is a secondary problem that must be remedied: too often medical personnel disregard the wishes of patients or their family when they want food and fluids or medical treatment. Usually this practice of involuntary denial of lifesaving measures is justified in "quality of life" terms.

NRLC's Robert Powell Center for Medical Ethics had a nationwide poll conducted to see what the public feels about this practice, which is known to very few people. It was conducted April 8-11, 2005, by The Polling Group. The results, based on questions each asked of 500 respondents, with a 4.5% margin of error, are reproduced below.

The questions ask about (1) food and fluids, on the one hand, and life support, on the other hand, when (2) the patient wishes the lifesaving measure or, although the patient's wishes are not known, the patient's family directs those measures.

"A seriously ill patient has indicated that they want food and fluids but the doctor thinks the patient's quality of life is too low to merit food and fluids. Which of the following best describes your opinion?"

Over three-quarters - - 76% - - said the patient should be able to receive food and fluids. Less than one in seven - - 14% - - said the doctor should be allowed to withhold food and fluids.

"A seriously ill ...