title: Moral principles in withdrawing basic life support from patients in the persistent vegetative state.
abstract: Patients in a state of persistent vegetation or 'cognitive death' are an emotional drain on their family, and a financial drain on a society with limited resources. In this article, society's responsibility towards these patients and the moral and ethical issues involved in the withdrawal of fluid and nutrition are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthetics, Western Infirmary, Glasgow.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Conn
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pace
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Dougall
mesh_terms: D003128:Coma / Q000628:therapy*; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005066:Euthanasia, Passive; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D009014:Morals; D040841:Resource Allocation; D028761:Withholding Treatment