Abstract
This paper examines the controversial issue of withholding medical care and nutrition from a patient with a terminal illness or on life support. There have been several cases which have reached the high courts recently in which this matter is being argued. This paper explores which body has the right to decide if this treatment should be stopped - the medical facility, the family members or the court.

From the Paper
"What care is 'futile?' Throughout the years, the question of whether or not to withhold certain treatments to terminally ill patients has been addressed. Do we continue to treat people who are still alive, even if we know that there is no hope? This is a question that has been asked over and over again by various parties. This notion is an ethical dilemma because it involves the notion of ending a life by withholding medical attention. Some religious groups feel that patients should be treated at all costs up until the end, while other people disagree with the notion and say this is immoral; these people have such a low quality of life, they should be relieved of their pain and suffering as fast as possible. Much like abortion, another ethical dilemma, it is difficult to say which side is right or wrong. Hence, an analysis into the situation must be consiered."

Tags:medicine, ethics, euthenasia, family, court, patient, dilemna, futile, life, saving, right, die