title: [End-of-life decisions in cases of vegetative state from the legal point of view].
abstract: The perspective of having to "vegetate" in a so-called persistent vegetative state over an indefinite period of time is regarded as unacceptable by many people. How to operationalise and enforce the patients "right of self-determination" in such cases is a subject of current medical and ethical debate. In addition, there is great uncertainty about how far and how long further treatment or supply is still indicated in such cases. The article discusses the legal framework and illustrates existing uncertainties and points out those aspects that demand clarification.
authors: Juristische Fakultät, Zentrum für Medizinrecht, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Goßlerstraße 19, 37073 Göttingen. gduttge@gwdg.de
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Duttge
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State / Q000175:diagnosis*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D028761:Withholding Treatment / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence