FOOD AND WATER:

THE high court ruled today doctors do have the power to withdraw food and drink from terminally ill patients–even if it is against their wishes.

The General Medical Council (GMC) was appealing against a previous ruling that gave Lesley Burke–who suffers from a degenerative brain condition–the right to insist on nutrition during the final stages of his illness. …

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Joyce Robins, co-director of human rights campaign group Patient Concern, said the decision was a disappointment.

She said: “Doctors again have extraordinary power over us, making decisions on how and when we die.

“This is a huge step backwards for patients.

“The right to food and water is a right to simple basic sustenance but
because they are considered treatment, they can now be taken away.”

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Via Andrew Sullivan‘s guest-blogger.