Let’s try to find the answer! For a number of years, the phenomena of coma and other conditions of low awareness, such as the persistent vegetative state, (VS) have captured the attention of the public—especially in high-profile cases such as Terri Schiavo. The media has been especially eager to make sure we have all heard of these terrible disorders. But do they have the information right?This talk will focus on differentiating the conditions that are so often used synonymously in error. The Vegetative state (VS) and coma are not the same, and the locked in syndrome and minimally conscious state have little do to with brain death. Let’s learn together so that we can help make the media and the public aware of the true conditions of these patients—not as they are portrayed on TV!Lastly, we will examine the role of bioethics in the debates surrounding low consciousness states. Has bioethics helped—or simply muddied the waters further? It has been said that bad medical facts make bad ethics. How much longer can we ignore the bad medical facts that have surrounded disorders of consciousness? Finally, although the VS has become almost a quintessential problem for bioethics, are we using the best medical information available, or engaging in mere thought experiments about these patients and how they are “supposed to be”? Be ready for some surprises!