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Controversies about decisions to withhold certain life-prolonging procedures (such as artificial feeding) from incompetent, terminally ill patients occasionally make headlines. Which of these is the best general summary of most courts' decisions in such cases?

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Final answer:

Most courts' decisions in cases involving withholding life-prolonging procedures from terminally ill patients prioritize the patient's right to die with dignity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best general summary of most courts' decisions in cases involving withholding certain life-prolonging procedures from incompetent, terminally ill patients is that the courts typically side with the patient's right to die with dignity. Courts have recognized that terminally ill patients have the right to refuse life-prolonging treatments, including artificial feeding. The courts usually balance the patient's autonomy and right to make decisions about their own end-of-life care with societal interests, such as protecting the sanctity of life and ensuring the best interests of the patient are served.

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