Brain-Dead Woman Kept on Life Support to Continue Pregnancy Under Georgia Law
Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old brain-dead nurse, is being kept alive on life support at 21 weeks gestation due to Georgia’s heartbeat law, which prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. Her family was not consulted regarding continued life support despite their belief that the fetus may have significant health problems and their emotional distress. The law’s limited exceptions do not apply in this case because Smith is brain dead and therefore not considered at risk. Consequently, medical professionals are legally obligated to maintain life support until the fetus reaches viability, around 32 weeks.
John Q. Hosedrinker