Megan Brons

Case Study

Description- Elizabeth Bouvia was admitted to Riverside General Hospital in California when she was twenty-six years old. She was checked into the hospital because she was suicidal and was also suffering from cerebral palsy and paralysis. In addition to these conditions, Elizabeth Bouvia suffered agonizing pain every day of her life due to arthritis. She announced one day that she wanted to starve herself to death and began refusing the solid food that the nurses provided. When the hospital would not agree with her wishes, she chose to alert the media and seek legal assistance. Through many court cases and hearings, Bouvia?s wishes were denied and she continues to live today in Los Angeles.

url?s describing the case:

1) http://www.normemma.com/ebouvia.htm

2) http://www.nationalreferendum.org/rhs.html

3) http://www.ragged-edge-mag.com/nov97/inst.htm

4) http://members.tripod.com/dljmlight/DL/AssistedSuicide.htm

url?s with ethical positions:

1) http://www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk/html/0073039861.html

2) http://sophia.smith.edu/~jmoulton/guidebook/g.htm

3) http://www.cin.org/life/coverpre.html

4) http://www.tamu.edu/upress/BOOKS/1997/kane.htm