What are the boundaries of acceptable medical practice near the end of life in ICUs?

I am in San Francisco, this
week, at the American Thoracic Society International
Conference,  to present "Legal
Mechanisms To Resolve Futility Disputes" in a broader
session titled "What are
the boundaries of acceptable medical practice near the end of life in intensive
care units?  

I am also meeting with two policy writing committees to
discuss, polish, and hopefully finish-up policies on conscientious objection
and on medical futility.