A fetus continues to live inside her mother who is in a vegetative state

Filed in archive Cases on July 21, 2005

The fascinating case where a fetus continues to develop inside a woman who is brain-dead:

A brain-dead pregnant woman on life support has passed the milestone in her pregnancy where doctors believe the baby could realistically survive outside the womb, giving her family renewed hope.

The woman, Susan Torres, 26, lost consciousness from a stroke on May 7 after aggressive melanoma spread to her brain.

Her husband, Jason Torres, said doctors told him his wife's brain functions had stopped.

Her fetus recently passed the 24th week of development, the earliest point at which doctors believe the baby would have a reasonable chance to survive, said her brother-in-law, Justin Torres.

("Brain-Dead Woman's Fetus Passes Milestone in Development", AP/NY Times, Jul.21)