PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Gillett, G R TI - Why let people die? AID - 10.1136/jme.12.2.83 DP - 1986 Jun 01 TA - Journal of Medical Ethics PG - 83--86 VI - 12 IP - 2 4099 - http://jme.bmj.com/content/12/2/83.short 4100 - http://jme.bmj.com/content/12/2/83.full SO - J Med Ethics1986 Jun 01; 12 AB - This paper concerns those patients whose brain is irreversibly damaged to the point where they will never recover significant mental life. I examine the reasons which justify the decision to withhold or discontinue active medical intervention in these patients. They involve the identity, quality of life and agency of those beings whom we value as persons.