Question

Is artificial nutrition and hydration a proportionate or disproportionate means of medical care? Explain, referencing the statements of Pope John Paul II, the US Catholic Bishops, and the ERD's.

Answer 1

Food and water are natural means of sustaining life, not medical acts,even if delivered artificially. Nutrition and hydration are ordinary and proportionate means of care. Food and water are morally obligatory unless or until they cannot achieve their finality, which is providing nutrition and hydrating and alleviating suffering.

Pope john paul stated that nutrition and hydration as ordinary means needed to provide comfort and seemed to indicate that food and fluid must always be provided.

Catholic bishops stated that the nutrition and hydration especially if provided by artificial means would constitues an excessively heavy burden for the patients, for their relatives or for the health care system. So it is extraordinary.

ERD's stated that the fact that the living will is executed is evidence that the means are disproportionate.