Denying any person food and water both orally and by gastrototomy (note that Michael has explicitly blocked any efforts at oral feeding/hydration for Terri) will kill them. Not 50% of the time, not 95% of the time, but 100% of the time.
Should we release from prison all those who have been accused of fatally starving their children, on the basis that they didn't kill them--they merely "let them die"?
Some people quit eating when they're dying. The only way to get them to eat is to force it and that's wrong. Folks honoring a dying man's wishes that everyone else just leave him alone is good. It's the right thing to do.
" and by gastrototomy"
Gastrotomy is a recent life support invention. I happen to live 20 east of the old fort Crawford where gastrotomy was discovered during the war of 1812, I think. I forgot the exact account, but it's at the Ft. Crawford medical museum.
"(note that Michael ..."
The topic was general, I was not addressing any specific case. If the person doesn't want med services, or any "help", then everyone else is obliged to honor the request.