In the first court case, Karen Ann Quinlan, it deals with the end-of-life procedures. Quinlan was 21 years old when she went into a coma that resulted in severe brain damage. She was alive by her feeding tube and ventilator. Quinlan’s family wanted to let her go because she was not making any progress. The doctor’s refused due to possible homicidal charges; therefore, the family took this took court (How, 2018). In the New Jersey court room, it was decided that Quinlan could not make her own decisions and a family member should be appointed to make those for her. In this case, it was her father. Once Quinlan was taken off the ventilator, she was able to breathe on her own but not able to eat on her own. This court case decided that competent patients are allowed to make their own decisions, but incompetent patients, who do not have end-of-life plans, must use a parent (How, 2018). What happens if a patient clearly states their end-of-life wishes? …show more content…
Four years after the accident, Cruzan’s parents wanted to let her go by removing her food supply. The doctors refused to do this and this case also went to court. In the court room, the judges decided that they must have evidence that proved Cruzan didn’t want to live in a disabled state. The court was given this evidence and Cruz died December 26, 1990. This United States Supreme Court case required that living wills or end-of-life treatment of the patient must be taken into consideration primarily, before any procedures are fulfilled (How, 2018). What happens if a living will is present, but conflict of interest is