Doctors force-feeding Gitmo hunger strikers
The lobby group Physicians for Human Rights has criticised the participation of American doctors in force-feeding hunger strikers in Guantanamo Bay. The New York Times claims that as many as 200 prisoners, more than one-third of the detainees, have refused food. Military officials say that 105 are participating in the strike. Whatever the number, 20 men are in poor health and are being fed through nasal tubes and sometimes given intravenous fluids.
PHR says that force-feeding is “in direct violation of international codes of medical ethics”. It contends that the wishes of a mentally competent patient who has made a free and autonomous decision must be respected, even if his life is at risk. “Though physicians in these situations have a duty to respect the sanctity of life, and act in the best interests of their patients, they have a greater duty to respect the autonomy of their patients who freely choose to refuse food and/or fluids and understand the consequences of their actions,” it says.
- Prescribe morning-after pills to young teenagers, say US pediatric group - November 30, 2012
- Bahrain sentences protest docs to prison - November 28, 2012
- Terry Pratchett assisted suicide documentary wins International Emmy - November 27, 2012
More Stories
After 49 years, SCOTUS strikes down Roe v Wade, abolishing a constitutional right to abortion
The US Supreme Court has struck down two of the most famous decisions in American history, Roe v. Wade and...
Fallen stem cell hero convicted in Swedish court
Once hailed as a stem cell technology pioneer, Italian surgeon Paolo Macchiarini has been convicted of causing bodily harm and...
Hollywood actress explains why she chose surrogacy: ‘I was terrified’
Hollywood starlet Jamie Chung, 39, surprised her fans last year when she and her husband announced the birth of twins....
First legal assisted suicide in Italy
Italy’s parliament is still debating the details of legal assisted suicide. However, last Thursday the first Italian to take advantage...
Re-examining autonomy
The buzzword cutting through the noisy controversy over the US Supreme Court’s repeal of Roe v. Wade is “reproductive autonomy”....
World swimming authority takes conservative stand on gender inclusion
Swimming's world governing body, FINA, has backed a new policy on gender inclusion which will stop most trans women swimmers...