Assignment task:
George K is a 25-year-old male who is unmarried and has no dependents. Medicaid supports him in his health-care needs, which are considerable since he suffers from muscular dystrophy. George K is totally paralyzed and therefore confined to bed. In addition to being quadriplegic, he cannot speak, and he is respirator dependent through a tracheotomy. Ordinarily he resides in a nursing home, but periodically he must be brought to the intensive care unit of a local hospital for crisis care related to the respirator dependency. He has a woman friend who visits him occasionally as well as a mother who visits him regularly. George K communicates through smiles and raising and lowering his eyebrows. He seems to enjoy watching television and is a great fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Tigers.
For ethical principles would this scenario be considered nonmaleficence in determining the quality of life?