Choice in Dying

Tube feeding is a common form of life-sustaining treatment for patients who are unable to eat or drink on their own. In the following viewpoint, Choice in Dying, a national organization dedicated to serving the needs of the dying, maintains that it is acceptable to withdraw nutritional life support from the terminally ill. In fact, avoiding tube feeding often allows for a less painful and more comfortable death, the organization points out. Those who want to refuse nutritional life support when they are close to death should make their wishes known in advance to ensure that caregivers will honor them.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What are the side effects of artificial nutrition and hydration, according to Choice in Dying?
2. How long does it take for terminally...