1 in 2 doctors for removing life support when asked by ALS patients
(Kyodo) _ Doctors at nearly one in two hospitals in Japan say they are in favor of removing respirators from patients with Lou Gehrig's disease if the patients and their families request them to do so before or after the patients are put on them for prolonging life, a survey by Kyodo News showed Saturday.
Hospitals with doctors in favor of removing respirators from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis comprised 47 percent compared with those against with 28 percent.

Fifteen hospitals said they had received requests for removal but none complied with the requests. Under current law, doctors could face a murder charge if they remove respirators.

The survey was based on questionnaires sent to 183 university and national hospital organizations with neurology departments in January and February. Of them, 78, or 43 percent, provided valid replies.

Patients' rights groups are opposed to accommodating requests for removal of life support because of concern that treatment may be withdrawn for the convenience not of the patient but of people around them.

Respirators attached to patients by inserting tubes after tracheotomies help prolong life for several years but require patients to be watched around the clock for sputum removal and other care. ALS eventually causes muscles to atrophy in the entire body.


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