Viewpoint
The Battalion Tuesday
Texas A&M University October 3, 1978
The right to die-coming high court issue
By CHARLOTTE MOULTON
United Press International
WASHINGTON — The current “right
to die” movement is looming as a more
powerful legal blockbuster for the Su
preme Court than its 1973 abortion deci
sion, whose shock waves have yet to sub
side.
Just as the court was faced with the
question of “when life begins,” advanced
medical techniques, new laws and chang
ing attitudes are pushing the justices to
ward the question of “when does life end”?
The growing interaction between the
courts and the medical profession came to
worldwide attention in 1976 through the
New Jersey story of Karen Ann Quinlan.
Her parents sued to disconnect a re
spirator which had kept her alive for 13
months, although she was not aware of her
surroundings.
The couple won the case in the state
supreme court, but the young woman
lived on without artificial help.
In a later decision, with even stronger
implications for doctors and judges, the
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
recognized the right of the patient to de
cline medical treatment when under the
shadow of death. As in the U.S. Supreme
Court s abortion opinion, the guiding
principle was personal privacy.
“The constitutional right of privacy is an
expression of the sanctity of individual free
choice and self-determination as funda
mental constituents of life,” Massachusetts
Justice Paul Liacos wrote.
“Prevailing medical ethical practice
seems to recognize that the dying are
more often in need of comfort than treat
ment.”
The societal conspiracy that prevailed so
long in America to hush discussion of
death is itself dying — witness the hun
dreds of death education courses at all age
levels under many sponsorships. The
British import of the hospice, a homelike
facility for the terminally ill, also is catch
ing hold.
The federal government has stepped
into the picture through an interagency
committee to study the needs of the dying,
possibly through narcotics law amend
ments to make heroin available as a pain
reliever in terminal cancer.
The American Council of Life Insurance
recently projected a scenario for the year
2000 of space colonies reserved for people
over 70, with terminal patients being al
lowed “to program their own deaths in any
way they see fit.”
Movement in public opinion began a
couple of decades ago with publication of
several books analyzing the ritual of the
American funeral. The trend was con
tinued by memorial societies, groups ded
icated to providing simple, low-cost fu
nerals under the deceased s own instruc
tions written earlier to protect survivors
emotionally and financially.
The societies emphasize signing the
“living will,” a document aimed at pre
venting use of extraordinary measures to
maintain a human shell if all hope of re
covery is gone.
With California pioneering, eight states
have enacted right-to-die laws geared to
the living will. The others are Texas, Ar
kansas, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, New
Mexico and North Carolina.
Opponents of this entire trend see it as
the first step toward euthanasia or mercy
killing. An American Bar Association
group with expertise in the field has op
posed the laws on grounds they are poorly
drawn and raise more problems for doctors
than they solve.
But the ABA has approved this defini
tion of brain death to replace the common
law concept based on heart and lungs:
“For all legal purposes, a human body
with irreversible cessation of total brain
function, according to usual and customary
standards of medical practice, shall be
considered dead.”
Tennessee and Montana have enacted
these 27 words into law. Louisiana and
Idaho adopted almost identical language.
Similar laws were passed by North
Carolina, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland,
Virginia, New Mexico, Alaska, California,
Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, Oklahoma,
West Virginia, and Hawaii.
The principle will be injected into crim
inal prosecutions and lawsuits in areas
ranging all the way from eye bank dona
tions to insurance and probate.
Dr. McCarthy DeMere of Memphis, a
doctor-lawyer who worked five years on
the definition, said, “This is one of the
biggest things that is happening in law to
day.”
“It will reach the Supreme Court,” he
told UPI, “I don’t know how or when.”
The feet that death counseling may be
engaged in by anyone, trained or un
trained, has caused concern among profes
sionals.
One is Dr. Dan Leviton, professor of
health education at the University of
Maryland, who heads the Forum for
Death Education and Counseling. Levi-
ton’s coursej which attracts about 300 stu
dents each .semester.- rtakes.- up religious
theories, the life cycle, how to haiidle
grief, attitudes toward funerals and
euthanasia.
The forum has already fashioned a code
of ethics for counselors and would like to
certify persons deemed qualified in the
field. The organization is a kind of clearing
house which publishes a newsletter and
advises on instruction techniques and how
to conduct workshops.
On the right to do with your body as you
will, Leviton says the individual should
weigh many factors: How old are you? Has
your life been worthwhile? Are you in un
bearable pain? What is your present
environment?
“It’s like abortion, there are no simple
answers,” he says, “but once the person is
satisfied that the answer is ‘yes,’ then he
ought to be allowed to die. ”
Paradoxically, many classroom dis
cussions of dying tend to focus on life. And
in the end that could be their greatest
benefit.
“Death education is more than a mere
frill added to an already crowded academic
curriculum,” Leviton says, “for it has the
potential of stimulating us to develop om
priorities. It does stimulate us, as our re
search indicates, to communicate our es
teem, respect and love to those dear to us
before they die.”
Considering how to die can’t help but
generate some thoughts on how to live.
Letters to the Editor
Corps cadets get no respect at
Editor:
I’m writing this letter to express my dis
gust about what I saw going on at Sbisa on
Friday, the 28th, during the Corps’ run. I
really felt sick when I saw a row of guys drop
ping their drawers and mooning the C.T.s
as they were passing by. There was also a
growing number of guys who were spitting
out profanity to the Corps.
There were also those who started pranc
ing alongside the outfits in a very mocking
manner all the way down the street as more
and more joined in. Guys were actually
running to join in on the side of the non-
regs. It was all a big scene with no apparent
reasoning behind it, however I noticed that
some of those who were yelling obscenities
at the Corps were Corps drop outs. In fact,
the ones who were yelling the loudest and
most derogatory sayings were guys who had
dropped out of their outfits because they
couldn’t take the pressure.
To wrap this up, the Corps just kept on
running and showed much more self con
trol than their civilian counterparts, but
could you imagine what might have hap
pened if these cadets had shown as little self
control as their mockers. If the Corps had
stopped their run and turned around, I im
agine that there would have been a lot of
clowns turning chicken real quick.
I hope that the total lack of respect for
Slouch
this school that we’ve all been seeing and
reading about is not getting to be a trend. If
you don’t know what I’m referring to when
I say lack of respect for the school, take a
look in the Friday, Sept. 28, Battalion and
read about all the damage done to Rudder
Auditorium during the midnight movie, or
read about the manure fight.
—Randy Spiars, ’80
Aerial shots
Editor:
To those 130 inhabitants of Moore Hall
who are having problems assessing and
comprehending certain situations. First,
we’d like to say that Dunn Hall is not oc
cupied by women, but Moore Hall has al
ways had problems determining sex. Is
this the reasoning used in justifying com
munity showers as an educational experi
ence?
Secondly, we grant you the ability to
figure percents (with the aid of calculators)
but disagree in your assuming that fewer
Dunn Hall residents participated in the
water fight on the Northside of campus
than signed the letter. For one of our resi
dents verified by aerial photographs (as he
flew over in his Lear jet) that 47.88% (227)
members of Dunn Hall participated in our
first raid.
The answer to why you didn’t hear our
challenge in the first water fight —
perhaps the hard hats you were wearing
impaired your hearing, or possibly you
were hoping to use ax handles to pack more
punch than our water. But we recommend
that your 130 (I believe we need more ae
rial photos to substantiate your claim) Bon
fire workers wait a few weeks. Then you
may safely try and prove yourselves
worthy of the glory bestowed upon your
dorm by yourselves, (and change the
dubious feelings that are associated with
Moore Hall in all circles.)
We’d also entertain the proposal of a
water fight, and we take this opportunity
to speak for our fathers who have so
generously agreed to your absenteeism
from work. If you need a ride don’t hesi
tate to call my chauffeur James.
—Jack Wensinger, 81’
Steve Huff, 81’
P.S. See you at the stack!
Tech views
Editor:
A copy of the letter Dorm Democracy”
(Thursday, Sept. 21) found its way up here
to Tech, and since the Good Ag who sent it
to me called me a Red Raider Redneck,
I’m writing in support of Nissman, Smith,
et al.
The outlawing of after-hours quads at
Schuhmacher is obviously some sort of
Communist plot, and I’ll bet that the RAs
involved support gay rights! Good luck in
your crusade against pinkos, J-boards,
Democrats, and other threats to society.
—Art Fern
Texas Tech, ’80
No deck for ’79
Editor:
To my fellow classmates of 1979,
I write this letter with a high degree of
frustration because I am looking at my
choice SENIOR football tickets and won
dering, Why am I sitting in section 128?”
Zips of 79, it is time to revolt!! We have
been deprived of good seats for too long,
so I would like to make a suggestion. Let’s
all keep our precious ticket books to our
selves so that we and our dates may have
the benefit of at least one or two decent
games with something besides a good view
of half the touchdowns and extra points.
If you feel that you have to trade with
some deprived underclassman, PLEASE
don’t give it to anyone under the sergebutt
class.
You may think this letter is uncalled for,
but fust remember that neither you nor I
will get the pleasure of the third deck after
Sbisa
its completion next year. So let’s enjoy
that Fightin’ Texas Aggie Football Team
for our last year as students here with
some sort of pride and respect for our
“wonderful” ticket distribution system.
—Jerry Warwick, ’79
Donna Ivey, ’79
Working class
Editor:
I am starting my fifth year at A&M and
thought I should write at least one letter to
the editor.
This is in response to a letter written by
Rhoni Mays (Tuesday, Sept. 19). First of
all, I am in the Class of 78 and I have as
much right to be here as you do. The
reason it takes some of us longer is that
some of work during the school year and
can t afford to take the required number of
hours. Some of us don t have our school
paid for.
Secondly, you weren’t exactly Miss
Goody-Two-Shoes when you wrote your
letter to Marge Berhardt. Miss Stevens
was merely exressing an opinion. I too be
lieve she ought to be given a P.E. credit
for being in the band at Sam Houston.
Miss Mays, in your letter you said it
hurts you that someone can be so un
friendly towards someone you have never
even met. Well, have you met Miss Bern
hardt?
By the way. Misses Childress and
Parker said Highway 6 runs both ways. I
came in one way and as soon as I get my
degree I m going out the other.
—Abel Salazar, ’78
Embarrassing yell
Editor:
This letter is addressed to those resi
dents of Crocker Hall who persisted in yell
ing their profane “hump it” at Midnight
Yell.
Being a dorm resident myself, I under
stand the desire to show dorm spirit
through humping it; however, your pro
fane yells before Yell Practice were not
only embarrasing to the students around
you, but very disgusting as well.
^ Many parents and old Ags attend Yell
Practice and enjoy seeing Aggie spirit and
can even appreciate some of the groad
stories, but your filthy language ex-
ceeeded the boundaries of common cour
tesy.
I know this is not an exemplary show of
spirit from all the men of Crocker, but
those of you who persisted in your im
maturity — think twice before you de
grade your dorm in public.
—Mary Helen Brown, ’79
by Jim Earle
‘NO, I HAVEN’T READ IT TODAY. I’LL READ IT TO-
T C'^T?T?T?r’ r rT0 1 v < ?
MADE!’’
Top of the News >
CAMPUS
Christensen to speak on poetry
Dr. Paul Christensen of the Texas A&M University English de
partment will speak to the English Society on "Poetry as a Genre”at
7:30 p.m. in room 230 of the Memorial Student Center. Christensen
has had a number of his own poems published.
Campus blood drive begins today
Registration for the 19th annual Aggie Blood Drive begins today
and ends Thursday at Sbisa and Commons dining areas and the
Memorial Student Center hallway. Donations will be collected Oct.
10-12. Preregistration is not required for donating. The Aggie Blood
Drive is a joint effort of Alpha Phi Omega, Omega Phi Alpha and the
student government. Since its inception 18 years ago, the blood drive
has collected more than 15,000 pints. It has provided blood coverage
for Aggies and their families in hospital and emergency situations. To
utilize this service, contact the Welfare Benefits Coordinator in the
Student Government Office.
Schedule information needed soon
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November and December activities to the Student Activities Office, ■ ,
221 MSC, no later than noon, Oct. 11. Cards for filing this information !H
are located in 221 or 217 MSC. The monthly calendar for ■ aan ' nK
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LOCAL
Bryan power off this morning
A large part of Bryan suffered electrical power shortage early this
morning when one of the major lines — directing power south ofVilla
Mana at Texas Avenue, to Foch Street — had power cut off'around
12:30 a m. A Bryan Utilities night clerk said a switching problem at
the main power plant was reported at 12:20 a.m. Power was restored
around 2 a.m.
Energy-saving seminar tonight
The Texas Energy Extension Service will hold an extra session of
its home energy conservation and money saving seminar tonight at
A&M Consolidated High School, Room 107 from 7-9 p.m. The semi
nar is a continuation of the session last T uesday on ways to make your
present home energy efficient. Larry Degelman, professor of ar
chitecture at Texas A&M University, will instruct participants howto
analyze their home energy problems. Energy plan sheets will be used
to compute cost and savings of various home energy conservation
measures. Interested persons should contact the Texas Energy Ex
tension Service, Texas A&M University, 845-8025.
STATE
Texas prisons called inhuman
Inmates demanding better conditions in the nation’s largest prison
system carried their 6-year-old fight into a federal courtroom in
Houston, Monday, accusing Texas of “inhuman" treatment and asking
court-ordered improvements. Justice Department lawyer David
anderhoof said the Texas prison system ranks first in constitutional
epriyations. The lawsuits allege violations of inmate civil rights,
including overcrowding, inadequate medical care, lack of rehabilita
tion, use of inmate enforcers, denial of access to the courts and arbi
trary punishment.
NATION
Court to hear bugging case
wTtu s f upr l eme Court opened its 1978-79 term Monday in
‘ S , in k F agreeing to take up cases involving the rights of pris-
oners, motorists music broadcasters and criminal suspects whose
ar ?i U P; d hy V 16 FBI - They announced they will hear argn-
jents and rule later this term on a wide range of issues, including
pol ' ce m ,ay randomly stop motorists in their cars just to
check their driver s license and auto registration.
Trigger-price’ defense begins
The administration opened its defense Monday in Colorado
a tr,g £ er ‘P nce system to protect American steel com-
Wh ltv g l / f Unf f ,r forei 8n competition. Firms have charged that
?. f . steel im ports have undercut their sales. The Treasury
steel firms'll 11 "P ric e system as part of an assistance package for
m™,r T,l e S,,ffering directly related to the
* boosts .h^^x^rrdXS inflaMonary b ~"
WEATHER 1
a qn°/ b eh 108 ^ c ! oudy with a chance of thundershowers and j
thP ram ‘ The high wil1 be in the mid-80’s with!
hPr!v^np ^ ,d i 0 s - Winds wi " be southernly 10-15 mph.
becoming northernly tonight. *
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LETTERS POUCY
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member
Texas Press Association
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Editor Kind I
Managing Editor L 'z J j
Assistant Managing Editor . •Ka ren
Sports Editor David*
City Editor Jaw' 6 !
Campus Editor Andy " J
News Editors Debbie f
Beth Calhoun
Editorial Director . .Lee Roy Lesel'P f |
Staff Writers Mark Pattersonj"
Pendleton, Sean
Michelle Scudder, I
Faulkenberry, Diane B'
Cartoonist Doug*
Photographer Ed C" |