An alternative conceptual structure for the resolution of ‘end-of-life’ problems involving PVS patients.

Gerry Roche M.Sc., BCL, BL.

		Page

Introduction		3

Part 1
	Introduction to Part 1	20
Chapter 1	Difficulties in judging ‘consciousness’	22
Chapter 2	Distinguishing between ‘reflex’ and ‘non-reflex’ action	54
Chapter 3	Judging the ‘ability to feel pain’	78
Chapter 4	PVS, Locked-In Syndrome and an alternative definition of PVS	114
Chapter 5	Doubt and its incorporation into medical decision making	165
	Conclusions to Part 1	175

Part 2
	Introduction to Part 2	178
Chapter 6	The theoretical approach adopted by the courts to ‘end-of-life’ decisions for PVS patients	182
Chapter 7	The concept of ‘quality of life’	210
Chapter 8	Could the Ward case engender a slippery slope?	229
	Conclusions to Part 2	250

Part 3
	Introduction to Part 3	252
Chapter 9	A good death	255
Chapter 10	A necessary condition for personhood	313
Chapter 11	An alternative conceptual structure for ‘end-of-life’ decisions for PVS patients	382

Thesis Conclusions		411

Appendices
Appendix A	Studies on the misdiagnosis of PVS	418
Appendix B	Borthwick’s criticism of the definition of PVS	425
Appendix C	Relevant legal judgements	429
Appendix D	Phillipa Foot’s analysis of the ethics of euthanasia	453
Appendix E	The development of euthanasia in pre-war Germany	458
Appendix F	Some modern definitions of personhood	463

Bibliography
	Books and Articles	476
	Legal Cases	486

If you would like to send an e-mail to Gerry Roche please send it to gerry@gerryroche.com