Vegetative state man uses thought to say he’s in no pain
Canadian Scott Routley, 39, was thought to have been in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) for more than a decade — but has now communicated to doctors that he is in no pain, by the power of thought. Scientists used a special scanner which detects blood flow to different parts of the brain when Scott was imagining different situations. It is believed to be the first time a PVS patient has responded to a question relating to his care. This calls into question court rulings which have allowed PVS patients to die of thirst and hunger.