ALS patients deserve better

Dr. Karen Schwenzer of the Human Investigations Committee reportedly comments that patients with a terminal illness are vulnerable and therefore in need of protection because they're willing to try anything [Re: "At peace: Gentry succumbs to ALS," June 2].

The question I have for this "ethics" committee is this: If I'm in a desert, facing death because of dehydration, should I risk drinking any possibly polluted water that I happen upon?

Robert Butler
Albemarle County

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