Every competent adult has the right to refuse unwanted medical treatment. This is part of the right of every individual to choose what will be done to his or her own body, and it applies even when refusing treatment means that the person may die. The right to refuse treatment applies to those who cannot make medical decisions for themselves as well as to those who can; the only difference is how we protect the rights of people who cannot make decisions for themselves. A person might decide against having a recommended treatment for any number of reasons. Some people for religious reasons do not want to receive blood transfusions. Others decide that they don’t want a recommended treatment because it is too risky or expensive or because even if the treatment works, there is little or no chance it will get them back to a quality of life they could enjoy or accept. Many people do not want life-sustaining treatments like ventilators or feeding tubes if these treatments are only going to prolong the dying process.

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