Bioethicist Wesley J. Smith Condemns Judge’s Ruling in Schiavo Case

As Terri Schiavo approaches her 94th hour without food or water, tensions rise across the country on both sides of the issue. Below, Wesley J. Smith, a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute, attorney, and ethicist, released a statement regarding the latest ruling by a judge in Florida to block Terri’s feeding tube to be reinserted, thus sustaining her life. To schedule an interview with Wesley Smith, please contact Kristina Grabosky at 703-683-5004 x132.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MARCH 22, 2005
Bioethicist Wesley J. Smith Condemn’s Judge’s Ruling in Schiavo Case

Smith: “This case has become an ongoing power struggle between the judiciary and the democratic process, part of a brewing constitutional crisis.”

Oakland, CA – Wesley J. Smith, Discovery Institute senior fellow and assisted suicide ethicist who has written extensively on the Schiavo case, condemned the latest ruling that Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube may not be reinserted.

“I wish I could say I was surprised by the decision by Judge James Whittemore, refusing Terri Schiavo’s last chance at justice. It appeared that the judge demonstrated a distinct lack of urgency in scheduling and hearing this matter—even though Terri lay dying of dehydration,” said Smith, an expert of issues ranging from euthanasia to infanticide.

Early this morning, Judge James Whittemore denied the appeal from Terri’s parents for her feeding tube to be reinserted after it was removed Friday afternoon.

“Both the United States Senate and House wanted Terri to have all of the facts heard to ensure justice was done in this case. This has now been refused by a federal judge. As with the state courts, this case has become a matter of obstinate adherence to process over simple justice and the value of human life. Indeed, this case has become about more than the Terri Schiavo tragedy. It is now part of an ongoing power struggle between the judiciary and the democratic process, part of a brewing constitutional crisis over whether our system of checks and balances also apply to courts,” Smith continued.

Additionally, Wesley Smith’s latest column appeared today on National Review Online about infanticide. To view the column, please click on the link below: http://www.nationalreview.com/smithw/smith200503220759.asp

Wesley J. Smith, a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute, is an attorney and consultant for the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide and a special consultant to the Center for Bioethics and Culture. His columns have appeared in Newsweek, The New York Times, the Weekly Standard, National Review, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the New York Post, First Things, Forbes, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Detroit News among many others. Smith has appeared internationally on the television and radio, including such programs as CNN Crossfire, Larry King Live, Good Morning America, Nightline, and the Sunday Program on BBC 4 radio.

To schedule interviews with Wesley J. Smith please contact Kristina Grabosky at (703)-683-5004, ext. 132.