AboutPaul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. Expertise I have a master's degree in bioethics which inlcudes medical and research ethics. In addition to a law degree, I have a doctorate of philosophy in comparative ethics involving medicine, law and business. I also am an Adjunct Professor at a medical school.
I can answer questions related to the ethics of withholding, instituting or withdrawal of life support.
Experience Experience in the area I have been 'a practicing trial attorney since 1989 and I have a masters degree in bioethics and a doctorate of philosophy regarding comparative ethics.
Organizations State Bar of Arizona
State Bar of Colorado (inactive)
District of Columbia Bar (inactive)
Federal Bar
Licensed in Arizona District Court
Licensed in Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Licensed in the United States Supreme Court American Bar Association National Board of Trial Advocacy
American Association for Justice Arizona Trial Lawyers Association
American Society for Bioethics and Humanities Kennedy Institute of Ethics National Association of Realtors
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Arts 1985
Juris Doctorate 1989
Master of Arts in Bioethics 2004 Doctorate of Philosphy 2006
Awards and Honors Phi Beta Kappa
Multiple Who's Who
Publications A list of my copyrighted publications and presentations is contained at WWW.EXPERTETHICS.COM
Question From my reading I have learned that Alzheimer's can not finally be diagnosed and has to be determined by autopsy.
If power of attorney with holds medicine to an Alzheimer's patient-one who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's who has pnuemonia and later autopsy shows that the patient did not have Alzheimers but was suffering from some other type of dementia, wouldn't power of attorney and the presiding doctor be guilty of murder?
Answer Wendy,
Probably not. From a health standpoint, there is very little practical difference between Alzheimer and Dementia. There may be different types of medications to slow down each process, however, the end result is the same. The power of attorney is to make decisions for an incapacitated individual and the patient was presumably incapacitated from the Dementia.
