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What’s in a Name? When Artificial Life Support is Really Artificial Death Extension

OK to Die
30 June 2012

The names of things often greatly affect our perception. In End-Of-Life lexicon, there is a movement underway to change the name of the medical order DNR (Do Not Resuscitate)  to AND (Allow Natural Death). No change in the medical reality of what occurs, but a radical change in our emotional reaction to the each term:

from “DNR”– “they withholding a medical intervention” (evoking negative feelings)

to “AND”– “they are giving care that allows death to occur naturally.”

I certainly feel more comforted and assured by the latter, positive wording, although both phrases constitute the same medical pathway.

Read the full article at OK to Die

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