Right to Die: Cruzan v. Missouri
This forum discussed the implications of the 5-4 Supreme Court decision in Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health. The case cente… read more
This forum discussed the implications of the 5-4 Supreme Court decision in Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health. The case centered on Nancy Cruzan’s tragic 1983 car crash and ensuing coma, and her family’s wish to discontinue her treatment, given her dismal prognosis. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Missouri Supreme Court ruling that “clear and convincing” evidence of what Cruzan would have wanted would be necessary to discontinue her care. The Court did not decide that such a strict level of evidence was constitutionally necessitated, thus leaving open the door for other states to have less restrictive “right to die” laws. The panelists also considered how the Cruzan decision will affect new emphasis on “advance directives", or living wills. The panelists agreed that the demand for "clear and convincing” evidence is too restrictive, and that “advance directives” offer a greater chance of protecting the interests of the victim. close
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