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to the National Press | 4/15/05 
Burke
Balch, Director of the Robert Powell Center for Medical Ethics, speaks to reporters
at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on the efficacy of advance directives.
By: Dane Rose WASHINGTON -- National pro-life leaders held
a news conference today at the National Press Club on the importance and legality
of advance medical directives, guidelines used to instruct medical professionals
on how to treat incapacitated persons. Bobby Schindler, Jr., brother of Terri
Schiavo, and members of the pro-life organization the National Right To Life Committee
explained however, that even when an advance directive is present, laws in many
states dictate that doctors do not always have to follow the signed mandates. "Under
the current law in most states, even if you clearly specify that you do not want
to be starved to death, a doctor or a hospital doesn't have to give you the food
and fluids that you've asked for." Mr. Schindler said. According to the NRLC,
41 states have laws "with no protection" or "questionable laws
regarding continued treatment" of patients deemed to have a low "quality
of life". The NRLC is urging legislative reform in states that do
not ensure advance directives will be followed. They have also begun the Will
To Live Project, a national campaign urging people to declare their treatment
arrangements in an advance directive. The National Clergy Council, along
with Faith and Action and the National Pro-Life Action Center, all of whom fought
desperately with Bobby Schindler to save the life of Terri Schiavo last month,
supports the NRLC and the Schindler family's efforts to protect the lives of the
incapacitated. "The whole history of humanity demonstrates that there is
nothing more evil and dangerous than when the powerful have control over the life
and death of the weak. In Terri's case, her able-bodied husband, an authoritarian
court, and an influential media ganged up on an innocent, disabled and dependant
woman.
Any measure that would equalize the situation, and help restore the
right to
live and be protected is welcome." NCC Chairman Dr. Paul Schenck said today. "But
we have to be careful, even in an advanced directive, we never have the moral
right to determine the time or circumstance even of our own death, that is in
God's hands. By the same token, we have to distinguish between killing someone,
and letting them die in peace." he explained. For more information
on advanced directives, please visit the NRLC's website here.
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