TY -  JOUR
PY -  2011
SN -  1972-4845
T1 -  Physiopathology of coma and the vegetative state. Scientific aspects and bioethical choices
JO -  SALUTE E SOCIETÀ
DA -  4/15/2011 12:00:00 AM
DO -  10.3280/SES2011-001006 EN
UR -  http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/Scheda_rivista.aspx?idArticolo=42231
AU -  Gandolfini, Massimo
SP -  85
EP -  92
IS -  1En
VL -  X
LA -  EN
AB -  Applying the technology of neuroimaging to patients in PVS we must to review radically our knowledge of the concept of "absence of consciousness" as the result of total damage to the function of the cerebral cortex. Neuroimaging has demonstred the existence of cortical areas able to manifest definite and definible fragments of cerebral activity in a severely damaged brain, which is said to be "unconscious". Today, it is not possible to talk more of the "absence of consciousness", but rather of the "submerged consciousness". This must lead to a very prudent attitude to avoid considering PVS as an irreversible and/or terminal state, for which it is useless investing scientific and social resources. The drift towards abandonment, or whorse, euthanasia - invoked by certain ideologies founded on the "quality of life" and on "a life not worth living" is more antiscientific than it has ever been. No pathology, including PVS, is defeated or resolved by abandoning or suppressing those who are their innocent victims.
PB -  FrancoAngeli
ER -