Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of President John F Kennedy and daughter of Caroline Kennedy says the health care system that she wanted to rely on felt "strained, shaky". It has been eight months into her treatment for a rare blood cancer. This was confirmed by a New Yorker essay she wrote on November 12, where she revealed that she had less than a year to live. However, she did that her cousin Robert F Kennedy Jr. as the US Health and Human Services secretary's actions have and will pose negative impact on cancer patients and on its medical research.

She wrote: "As I spent more and more of my life under the care of doctors, nurses, and researchers striving to improve the lives of others, I watched as Bobby cut nearly a half billion dollars for research into mRNA vaccines, technology that could be used against certain cancers. Slashed billions in funding from the National Institutes of Health, the world’s largest sponsor of medical research."

Also Read: David Cameron, Former UK Prime Minister, Has Prostate Cancer

In her essay she noted that doctors and scientists at Columbia University, where her husband worked as urologist, and Columbia Presbyterian hospital, where she was being treated initially, did not know if they would be able to continue their research or even have jobs. "In May, the university laid off a hundred and eighty researchers after federal-funding cuts," she wrote.

What Condition Does Tatiana Schlossberg Have?

She was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, with a rare mutation called Inversion 3, when she was 34. This diagnosis came just hours after she delivered her second child, a daughter.

The journal Leukemia & Lymphoma notes acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a complex hematological malignancy characterized by diverse genetic alterations, each with distinct clinical implications. Chromosome 3 inversion (inv(3)) is a rare genetic anomaly found in approximately 1.4–1.6% of AML cases, which profoundly affects prognosis. As per Cleveland Clinic, "the type Tatiana Schlossberg has is considered the rarest and most serious form because of a genetic flaw called Inversion 3."

In her essay she also noted that in standard treatments, there is no guarantee for a cure.

What Happens In AML Type 3?

It means a section of one of her chromosomes is arranged incorrectly, causing cancer cells to grow out of control and making the disease incredibly difficult to treat. Experts consider this one of the highest-risk forms of AML because it usually doesn’t respond well to standard chemotherapy, and even aggressive options like stem-cell transplants often aren’t enough.

Fund Cuts Under RFK Jr's Health Ministry

In March, Kennedy rolled out a major restructuring plan that merged several divisions and cut 20,000 full-time jobs, saying the move would save taxpayers $1.8 billion annually. He also reduced the Department of Health and Human Services’ 2026 budget to $94.7 billion, down from $127.6 billion in 2025.

Kennedy has repeatedly insisted that he’s targeting bureaucracy rather than scientific research, and has said that some grants frozen by mistake would be restored. As of Nov. 21, HHS has reinstated about 52%—or 2,860—of the NIH grants that were initially terminated, according to Grant Witness, which tracks the process. Still, more than 2,600 grants remain affected.

Back in August, Kennedy described mRNA vaccine technology as “ineffective” and claimed it carried more risks than benefits. He said this decision would affect 22 projects—worth nearly $500 million—at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which supports companies in developing vaccines, drugs, and diagnostic tools for public health emergencies.

The UK Health Security Agency (HSA) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have warned people against using non-sterile alcohol-free wipes in their homes and first aid kits, over their link to a fatal bacterial infection, which has also led to death in the country.

After testing almost 200 products, the officials identified Burkholderia stabilis -- a type of bacteria found naturally in the environment, including in soil and water -- in four brands of skin cleansing wipes intended for first aid.

These brands of non-sterile alcohol-free wipes have been contaminated and have caused serious infection with the B. stabilis. These include:

• ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
• Microsafe Moist Wipe Alcohol Free
• Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
• Reliwipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes

While B. stabilis rarely causes infection in healthy individuals, it can be dangerous to people with a weakened immune system, cystic fibrosis, or malignancy, the authorities said. Further, patients using intravenous lines at home are also at higher risk of developing infection.

The MHRA had, in 2025, also issued a warning against the four products.

“There have been 59 confirmed cases of Burkholderia stabilis associated with some non-sterile alcohol-free wipe products -- identified in an outbreak in the United Kingdom from January 2018 to 3 February 2026,” the joint statement said.

“A small number of cases continue to be detected. These have included some serious infections which have required hospital treatment, and one death has been attributed to Burkholderia stabilis infection,” it added.

The health agencies also stressed that only wipes marked as “sterile” should be used on broken skin and only used to clean intravenous lines if instructed by a patient’s medical team.

“We are reminding the public not to use, and to dispose of, certain non-sterile alcohol-free wipes, which have been linked to an outbreak of Burkholderia stabilis,” said James Elston, consultant in epidemiology and public health at UKHSA.

“Those who still have any of the affected products should stop using them immediately and dispose of them in standard household waste,” the UKHSA added.

A recent report by Eurosurveillance, early this month, also confirmed 59 cases of B. stabilis associated with contaminated non-sterile alcohol-free wipe products in the UK as of February.

Also read: What Kind Of Wipes Should You Use To Clean Wounds? Here's What UKHSA Suggests

Key Symptoms To Watch For

Anyone who has used non-sterile, alcohol-free wipes does not need to seek medical care unless they develop symptoms of infection, such as:

Wound infection: redness, swelling, warmth, increased pain, or pus/drainage from the site

Infection involving an IV line: redness, swelling, or pain at the insertion site, along with fever or chills

Safety Advice by UKHSA And MHRA

The UKHSA offers the following guidance for safe wipe use:

• Use only sterile wipes on broken skin, wounds, or scratches to reduce the risk of germs entering the body.
• Check that your first aid kit contains only wipes labelled “sterile,” ensure the packaging is intact, and dispose of any out-of-date or damaged products.
• Only use wipes on IV lines if specifically instructed by your healthcare team.

Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, emphasized that wipes intended for medical purposes are classed as medicines.

These products do not have the necessary medicines authorization, and steps are being taken to enforce compliance.

“If you have these wipes at home or in a first aid kit, check the label and only use wipes marked as ‘sterile’ on broken skin,” Dr. Cave advised.

“Healthcare professionals should follow instructions provided in the national patient safety alert.”

Anyone who has used alcohol-free wipes and is concerned about possible infection should speak to a healthcare professional.

The Supreme Court of India, in a landmark decision, authorized the removal of life support for Harish Rana, a 31-year-old man in a vegetative state since 2013.

This marks the country's first Court-approved case of passive euthanasia without a prior living will. The Court ruled that the "right to die with dignity" is a fundamental part of the right to life under Article 21.

Also read: Supreme Court Allows 1st Passive Euthanasia For Man In Vegetative State For 13 Years

Speaking to HealthandMe, the experts said that the landmark ruling will enable families and doctors to make compassionate decisions and may also influence end-of-life protocols.

There are several medical conditions where patients undergo prolonged suffering despite treatment, with no realistic scope for recovery, sometimes for decades.

“This judgment could have a significant impact on end-of-life care practices in Indian ICUs. Many patients remain in prolonged vegetative states with no meaningful quality of life, often sustained only through artificial life support,” Dr. Sandeep Dewan, Senior Director, Critical Care & Chairman ECMO Program, Fortis Gurugram, told this publication.

“The ruling reinforces that while preserving life is important, the quality and dignity of life must also be considered, and it provides clearer pathways for families and doctors to make compassionate decisions in such situations,” he added.

Harish was a BTech student in Chandigarh who suffered severe traumatic brain injury after falling from the fourth floor of his paying guest accommodation in August 2013.

Since then, he has remained bedridden and was being treated with Clinically Administered Nutrition (CAN), where surgically installed PEG tubes helped him with breathing and nutrition.

The apex Court, in its ruling, noted that it can just prolong his biological existence, but it will not lead to any therapeutic improvement.

With the Harish Rana judgment, the apex Court today clarified how passive euthanasia should be applied in cases where a patient’s life is being supported by feeding tubes.

The top Court also waived off the reconsideration period of 30 days and noted that the medical treatment, including the CAN administered to the patient, can be withdrawn or withheld.

"Doctors and hospitals have often been reluctant to stop tube feeding in such patients, fearing that it could be interpreted as 'starving the patient to death',” Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, Ex-President of IMA Cochin and Convener of the Research Cell, Kerala, told HealthandMe.

“Today’s ruling clarifies that artificial nutrition and hydration are indeed forms of medical treatment. Therefore, withholding such artificial feeding can be considered withdrawal of life-sustaining medical support in situations where treatment offers no prospect of recovery and only prolongs suffering,” he added.

Passive Euthanasia In India

Passive Euthanasia allows a terminally ill or irreversibly comatose patient to die naturally. It involves deliberately withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments (like ventilators, feeding tubes, or medication). It has been legal since 2018, but under strict guidelines.

On the other hand, active euthanasia or assisted suicide for terminally ill patients is legal in several countries, but is not permitted in India.

The Aruna Shanbaug Case (2011) paved the way for passive euthanasia in India.

Shanbaug was a nurse at Mumbai's KEM hospital who remained in a vegetative state for 42 years after an assault in 1973. The hospital staff cared for her and did not stop treatment till she passed away naturally in 2015.

However, in the 2011 Aruna Shanbaug judgment, the SC allowed passive euthanasia by permitting the withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining treatment under strict legal safeguards.

This framework was further clarified in the 2018 Common Cause judgment, which recognized advance directives or living wills.

Later in 2023, the SC modified the guidelines, noting that withdrawal of life support is permissible only after the approval of the Primary and Secondary Medical Boards.

A Living Will

Dr. Jayadevan noted that, as death is a certainty for all who are living, greater awareness must be created on adults preparing a "Living Will or Advanced Directive".

A Living Will is essentially made when individuals are "still in good health— documenting one’s preference for specific treatment measures in the event of a terminal illness occurring in the future”.

“This will help relatives and doctors to take the right decisions and avoid unnecessary treatment measures in such situations. Unlike the conventional Will that is executed after death, a Living Will is implemented when a person is still alive,” the doctor said.

In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court today allowed passive euthanasia for a 32-year-old man, living in a vegetative state for the last 13 years.

A bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan allowed the withdrawal of life support for Harish Rana, a resident of Ghaziabad, who has been in a coma and kept alive on tubes for breathing and nutrition after sustaining severe head injuries following a fall from a building in 2013 in Chandigarh.

Also Read: Metal Particle Found In Ibuprofen, Drug Now Recalled

It is the first known case of a court-ordered passive euthanasia in India, since it was legalised in 2018 and modified in 2023, recognizing the fundamental right to die with dignity.

"Harish Rana, presently aged 32 years, was once a young, bright boy. He met with a tragic life-altering accident after a fall from the fourth floor of his paying guest accommodation. His brain injury left him in a condition of Persistent Vegetative State (PSV) with 100 percent quadraplegia... Medical reports show that his medical condition has not improved in the past 13 years," LiveLaw quoted the bench as saying.

The Court noted that the continuation of his treatment -- Clinically Administered Nutrition (CAN) via surgically installed PEG tubes -- can just prolong his biological existence but will not lead to any therapeutic improvement.

What Is The Case Of Harish Rana?

Harish was a BTech student in Chandigarh who suffered severe traumatic brain injury after falling from the fourth floor of his paying guest accommodation in August 2013.

Since then, he has remained bedridden and dependent on others for all activities of daily life.

Harish's father, the petitioner, first approached the Delhi High Court in 2024, seeking permission for passive euthanasia, but was rejected as the patient was not terminally ill.

The same year, the petitioner knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court, which, though it refused to entertain the plea, directed the Uttar Pradesh government to bear the treatment expenses.

In 2025, the petitioner filed a miscellaneous application in the Supreme Court, noting that Harish's condition had no scope for improvement.

The Court then directed the constitution of a Primary Medical Board led by the District Hospital in Noida to examine his health, as well as a Secondary Medical Board constituted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

After perusing the report, Justice Pardiwala remarked that it's a "sad report" and the man can't continue to live like this. Before passing the final order, the Court met the parents, LiveLaw reported.

The Court has asked AIIMS to provide palliative care, so that the withdrawal of CAN can be given effect to.

To maintain the dignity of death, the apex Court said that the life support must be withdrawn with a tailored plan.

1st Passive Euthanasia: What's New From The 2018 Judgment

In 2018, a five-judge Constitution Bench had recognized and given sanction for passive euthanasia, and living will/advance directives.

Later in 2023, the SC modified the guidelines, noting that withdrawal of life support is permissible only after the approval of the Primary and Secondary Medical Boards.

With the Harish Rana judgment, the apex Court today clarified how passive euthanasia should be applied in cases where a patient’s life is being supported by feeding tubes.

The top Court waived off the reconsideration period of 30 days and noted that the medical treatment, including the CAN administered to the patient, can be withdrawn or withheld.

What is Passive Euthanasia

Passive Euthanasia allows a terminally ill or irreversibly comatose patient to die naturally. It involves deliberately withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments (like ventilators, feeding tubes, or medication). It has been legal since 2018, but under strict guidelines.

In Active Euthanasia, patients are administered a lethal injection to cause death. It is illegal in India and considered an offence.

The Aruna Shanbaug case in 2011 opened the door for passive euthanasia in India for the first time.

The top Court rejected euthanasia in the case of Shanbaug, a nurse at Mumbai's KEM hospital who was in a vegetative state for 42 years after an assault in 1973, as the hospital staff who cared for her for decades did not support stopping treatment.

Shanbaug continued to be under care and passed away naturally in 2015

However, in her case, the court made the judgment allowing for passive euthanasia in certain rare situations under strict conditions.