The Israeli "Terminally Ill Patient Law"

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The Israeli "Terminally Ill Patient Law": Medical Ethics and the End of Life

In 2005 a law was passed in Israel regulating the treatment of dying patients. Its most controversial aspect was the distinction it makes between withholding therapy (which it allows) and withdrawing continuous therapy (which it does not allow). Prof. Charles Sprung, director of the ICU at Hadassah Medical Center, helped write this law. Here he talks about how the law came to be and how it attempted to satisfy Jewish law (halachah).

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Prof. Charles Sprung is leading Professor of Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Director of General Intensive Care Unit at Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Centre and Director of Institute of Medicine, Ethics and Law at Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center. He is also Fellow of American College of Critical Care Medicine and author of numerous academic publications.

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Anonymous Walkersville, MD May 13, 2012

Dr. Charles Sprung Dear Dr. Sprung,
I have watched and listened to your speech twice so far. Your speech on terminally ill patients. The studies that were conducted all over the world, and the discussions about two points, omission of starting life support, or withdrawing life support that was already in place.

I need to add my comment to this very sensitive discussion, with your permission.
A few years ago there was a case in the USA, called the Karen Ann Quinlan case.
Karen was the young daughter of her parents, had already been on life support for several years. The parents decided they wanted to withdraw life support , ventilator, and not prolong the condition of
Karen. The case went to the high court and the parents won the decision, but they had to 'pull the plug'. the parents pulled the plug, and Karen lived about another 10 years.
Doesn't this mean that HASHEM can only take our last breath away? Perhaps in your wide range of experience , i am too naive, and your perspective is. Reply

Medical Ethics and the End of Life