A reappraisal of the guidance and legal protection for medical practitioners in cases of medical futility

摘要: This essay seeks to explore whether doctors have been offered sufficient guidance when having make decisions on how treat patients who could no longer benefit from medical help. As any intervention would then lead only the prolongation of life, ‘medical futility’ brings up numerous emotive issues, including dilemma best those in this unfortunate position (e.g. defective neonates, severely disabled infants, adults persistent vegetative state), and as are indeed people such life death decisions. Importantly for purpose essay, question that has be addressed is existing official guidance, by courts, parliament professional bodies, adequate, if it not, what else should done offer clarity a more morally defensible stance. The also considers acting area sufficiently protected terms legal liability or law perhaps over-protective, through presence mechanisms doctrine double effect condoned omission. Key words: Medical Futility; Withdrawal Withholding Treatment; Law; End-of-Life; Persistent Vegetative State.