Guest Author - Sarah Elise Stauffer

Terri Schiavo, is a severely brain-damaged Florida woman, whose husband's efforts to disconnect her feeding tube has ignited a fierce and impassioned debate over bioethics, euthanasia, guardianship, federalism, and civil rights.

George W Bush has signed a law designed to force doctors to keep her alive, despite being extremely brain damaged and retaining no higher brain functioning. Her husband and legal guardian, Michael, who now has a new family, had this to say.

"This is a sad day for Terri," he told ABC's "Good Morning America" on Monday.
"But I'll tell you what: it's also is a sad day for everyone in this country because the United States government is going to come in and trample all over your personal, family matters." Michael Schiavo contends that he is carrying out his wife's wishes to not be kept alive in her current state.

Though the tube has been removed twice, campaigners have been successful in having it reconnected. Terri entered her current state when her heart temporarily ceased beating in 1990. Terri Schiavo has been in a vegetative state for fifteen years. The question being posed is what her chances of recovering some awareness are, realistically. Minnesota neurologist Ronald Cranford told the Washington Post, "There has never been a documented case of someone recovering after having been in a persistent vegetative state for more than 3 months."

Bob and Mary Schindler, Terri Schiavo's parents, and her siblings, dispute Mr. Schiavo's position. They contend Terri is "responsive" and in no distress. They also dispute that she ever stated her wishes to die, also claiming Ms. Schiavo was a domestic violence victim both before and after her injury. Evidence to support this has yet to be presented.

Though the courts have ruled that Mr. schiavo has the legal right to decide on her medical treatment, her family members have exercised every possible measure to keep her alive.

A decision is expected later on Monday.