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Bioethics Keyed to Clark, 9th Ed.
Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health
Citation:
497 U.S. 261 (1990)Facts
In January 1983, Nancy Cruzan lost control of her car, was thrown from the vehicle, and was discovered face down in a ditch without detectable cardiac or respiratory function. Paramedics restored her breathing and heartbeat, but she remained unconscious. She suffered anoxia (lack of oxygen) for an estimated 12-14 minutes, resulting in permanent brain damage. After remaining in a coma for three weeks, she progressed to a persistent vegetative state. To facilitate feeding and recovery, surgeons implanted a gastrostomy tube with her husband’s consent. Despite rehabilitation efforts, her condition did not improve.
Nancy remained in this persistent vegetative state for several years, exhibiting motor reflexes but no cognitive function. Her cerebral cortical atrophy was irreversible and progressive. When it became clear she would not recover, her parents asked hospital employees to terminate artificial nutrition and hydration. The hospital refused without court approval. The parents then sought and received authorization from the state trial court, which found that Nancy had previously expressed to a housemate that she would not want to continue her life unless she could live “at least halfway normally.”
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