France's highest appeals court has ordered Vincent Lambert's food to be removed following a six-year-long legal battle for his life.
The 42-year-old nurse, now in a hospital in Reims, suffered an accident in 2008 which left him quadriplegic and with extensive brain damage. He is described by some as "semi-conscious," and by others as being "in a vegetative state." Vincent can
sleep and wake up, respond to some voices, can
swallow, and breathe on his own. He is not dependent on machines to live, but
he is dependent on nutrition and hydration being delivered in a special manner, like many people.
The Court of Cassation's final ruling means that Lambert,
who is not otherwise ill or at the end of his life, would be removed from food and water and left to die slowly, which can take 14 days or more. The decision cannot be appealed in France, but
his parents are fighting the order and have threatened to press charges for murder if his food is removed. However, Vincent's wife and six of his eight siblings believe he should be forced to die.
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