Australian Court Says Quadriplegic Man Has Right to Starve to Death

On Friday, an Australian judge ruled that Christian Rossiter, a quadriplegic man who is not terminally ill, dying, vegetative, of lacking capacity to express his wishes, has the right to die by refusing food and water.  According to a CNN article,

Australian law gives patients the right to refuse life-saving treatment, but helping someone commit suicide is a crime that can carry a life prison sentence. The Brightwater nursing facility sought the ruling to make sure it would not be held liable if it complied with Rossiter’s request to stop all nutrition and hydration, except to be given enough liquid to make it possible to take pain medication.

 . . .

Because he cannot use his hands, Rossiter must rely on others to withhold treatment rather than being able to take his own life.

Arthur Brice, Australian quadriplegic granted right to starve to death, CNN, Aug. 14, 2009.