The Case of Tracy Lynn Latimer

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Recommended: Quizlet medical ethics

• Cerebral palsy is a disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture that is caused by an insult to the immature, developing brain, most often before birth ( http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cerebral-palsy)
• Terminal Illness- A medical condition which is expected to result in a person's death within six (6) months; no recovery expected ( http://www.cerebral-palsy-injury.com/terminal_illness.html)

According to the case study published in Contemporary Moral Problems ,Problem Case #2 pg 188-189 , Tracy suffered with cerebral palsy as well as having been a quadriplegic and semi bedridden by the time that she was 12 years old. Tracy ‘s life was ended by her father ,who was then convicted of 2nd degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without eligibility for parole for 10 years. Questions raised within the case study concerning this case1 (Contemporary Moral Problems ,Problem Case #2 pg 188-189) were did Tracys father deserve the sentence he received? Was the killing of his daughter an act of mercy to eliminate her pain and suffering? Was his decision mor...

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