If it is truly PVS and there is no hope of recovery (meaning there is severe trauma to the brain), and the patient has indicated in some verifiable manner that they do not wish to continue, then . . . maybe.

For me, if there’s no significant brain activity then it is likely that God-given life has been replaced by artificial, man-sustained life. I believe that our human spirit is the God-given life within us: when it is gone, we are gone. Our brain is like an engine without a source of ignition: you can run it off the battery but it’s artificial. An M.D. friend, however, feels that if the brain is good but the body is terminally ill and suffering that it is merciful to end life early.

These are tough questions, ones that my friend has to deal with almost daily. He, too, is a Christian obviously dedicated to life: he is spending his own life trying to help people get or stay healthy. Those of us who don’t have one hand on the plug find it far easier to pontificate than do the courageous women and men who face life-and-death situations routinely in the hospital.

I pray I won’t be faced with such hard choices. I also try not to be too judgmental about those who do have to make them.