Autopsy revealed that Terri Schiavo was beyond help, as impartial doctors knew all along 


The autopsy report on Terri Schiavo's brain were released this week. It said, "The decedent's brain was grossly abnormal and weighed [...] less than half of the expected tabular weight for a decedent of her adult age." The New York Times reported that the medical examiners said "No amount of therapy or treatment would have regenerated the massive loss of neurons." 

The report assert that "Mrs. Schiavo would not have been able to consume sustenance safely and/or in sufficient quantity by mouth." "Claims from caregivers of past oral feedings are remarkable, and, based on the autopsy findings and medical records, these feedings were potentially harmful or, at least, extremely dangerous to Mrs. Schiavo's health and welfare."

The Times reported that "the brain deterioration had left her blind." The autopsy report does not say whether she was in a persistent vegetative state, explaining, "Neuropathologic examination alone of the decedent's brain — or any brain, for that matter — cannot prove or disprove a diagnosis of persistent vegetative state or minimally conscious state."

USA Today said that the Republicans in Congress were unrepentant of their unpopular intervention in the case. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass) is quoted saying, "It's rare that you get such a total repudiation of one side [...] all these politicians pretending to practice medicine, including one doctor pretending to practice medicine [were driven by] ideology and partisanship."

A copy of the autopsy reports are available here. 

Posted: Friday - June 17, 2005 at 10:46 AM          

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