DC Case Seeks To End Life Support Over Family's Religious Objections

Yesterday's Washington Post reports on a lawsuit filed in D.C. Superior Court by the Children's National Medical Center seeking an order allowing it to end life support for a brain-dead 12-year old boy. Motl Brody's parents however say that their Orthodox Jewish beliefs do not recognize brain death, and that their son's circulatory and respiratory systems are functioning with mechanical assistance. D.C. law allows doctors to declare patients dead if they lack brain activity, and does not contain an exception for families with contrary religious beliefs. The law of New York where the Brodys live does have such an exception. [Thanks to J.J. Landa for the lead.]