Washington D.C., Feb 28, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Douglas R. Scott, president of Life Decisions International, is calling on all Americans to refrain from being swayed by pro-euthanasia rhetoric in the Terri Schindler Schiavo case and to keep in mind the facts.
"Terri is not terminally ill. She is not dying. She is not in pain. Terri merely needs nutrition and hydration, just as all of us do," Scott said. "She has been targeted for death simply because the delivery means is directly into a vein, which is deemed 'artificial.' Some people use a spoon, some a baby bottle, some an IV, but the goal is the same."
While some doctors have claimed that Terri is in a "persistent vegetative state" and will never recover, Scott pointed out that “qualified medical personnel often disagree on a 'persistent vegetative state' diagnosis.”
The pro-life advocate said he can recall many cases where doctors have said a person will never recover and they turned out to be wrong.
"It is really not the least bit important whether Terri is in a 'persistent vegetative state' or whether she will eventually recover from her condition," Scott said. "Terri's very right to live can't be dependent upon her abilities or condition."
"The Terri Schindler Schiavo case is taking us down a completely new road in the how we deal with those who cannot speak or care for themselves," Scott said. "Once we go down that new road, it will be very difficult to turn back. And all of mankind will pay the price."
Terri’s husband, Michael Schiavo, has claimed that Terri once said she would not want to live in such a condition. But Scott argues that if Terri had felt strongly about that, her wishes would have been put in writing.
Scott noted that the pro-euthanasia movement had originally claimed that they were working on behalf of those who were terminally ill, in excruciating pain, a few month’s away from death and had given written consent and discussed the decision over a long period of time with family, friends and medical professionals.
But euthanasia advocates are now saying it would be more human to give Terri a lethal injection.
"This shows the real goal of the pro-euthanasia movement," Scott said. "Advocates of euthanasia would love to see Terri die—not out of concern for her but only to further their cause."