The speed of technological advancements necessitates that Catholic theology often plays catch-up when reacting to specific, new circumstances.
In the not-too-distant past, persons in a consistent vegetative state could not survive because of their inability to eat food or even drink fluids. With improvements in technology, the healthcare field can now provide artificial nutrition and hydration. Along with this ability come a host of new questions about how long one should provide these artificial means, in what cases are they morally required and in what situations are they not morally appropriate.
The Vatican recently issued an official response to questions posed by the US bishops regarding the necessity of using artificial means for persons in a coma. The specific questions related to providing water and food for a person in a vegetative state.
The complete Vatican response was released on September 14, 2007.
A very helpful analysis of the response has been developed by the National Catholic Bioethics Center. As the analysis explains, confusion had arisen in the past. The new statement and its detailed commentary provided by the Vatican help to clarify previous misunderstandings.
Posted by APWeb 
