Introduction In this paper I will examine the argument put forth in the article On The Definition and Criterion of Death by Bernat et al and articulate their ideas in regards to brain death. I will also present a counter-argument to ideas that Bernat et al contends, with my objection to these ideas based on my own opinion, and conclude with a summary of my criticisms to the argument.
Presentation of Authors Argument In On The Definition and Criterion of Death, Bernat et al. suggests the total and irreversible loss of functioning of the whole brain as the sole criterion of death. Bernat et al. argues that the definition of brain death is the permanent cessation of the organism and the criterion as the cessation of the brain. According to …show more content…
Throughout history, cardiopulmonary functioning has served as an adequate criterion of death. According to the article, this criterion is correlated with the permanent cessation of functioning of the organism due to the fact that the brain is necessary for the functioning of the organism as a whole. Bernat et al explains that the brain integrates, generates, interrelates, and controls complex bodily functions (Bernat et al, 1981, p. 391). To further explain this, Bernat et al points to an example of a patient on a ventilator who does not have a functioning brain. Bernat et al contends that the individual is simply a group of artificially maintained subsystems, since the organisms as a whole have ceased to function accordingly. Therefore, when the organism as a whole has ceased to function properly, the artificially supported vital subsystems rapidly fail. Moreover, employing permanent loss of functioning of the whole brain as the criterion for death of an organism as a whole is consistent with physician’s practices. Throughout the past, when a physician needs to figure out the cause of death, their examinations include signs of permanent loss of functioning of the whole brain- unresponsivity, lack of spontaneous movements including breathing, and absence of pupillary light response. Ultimately, permanent loss of whole brain functioning has always been the underlying criterion of death (Bernat et al, 1981, p.
Presentation of Authors Argument In On The Definition and Criterion of Death, Bernat et al. suggests the total and irreversible loss of functioning of the whole brain as the sole criterion of death. Bernat et al. argues that the definition of brain death is the permanent cessation of the organism and the criterion as the cessation of the brain. According to …show more content…
Throughout history, cardiopulmonary functioning has served as an adequate criterion of death. According to the article, this criterion is correlated with the permanent cessation of functioning of the organism due to the fact that the brain is necessary for the functioning of the organism as a whole. Bernat et al explains that the brain integrates, generates, interrelates, and controls complex bodily functions (Bernat et al, 1981, p. 391). To further explain this, Bernat et al points to an example of a patient on a ventilator who does not have a functioning brain. Bernat et al contends that the individual is simply a group of artificially maintained subsystems, since the organisms as a whole have ceased to function accordingly. Therefore, when the organism as a whole has ceased to function properly, the artificially supported vital subsystems rapidly fail. Moreover, employing permanent loss of functioning of the whole brain as the criterion for death of an organism as a whole is consistent with physician’s practices. Throughout the past, when a physician needs to figure out the cause of death, their examinations include signs of permanent loss of functioning of the whole brain- unresponsivity, lack of spontaneous movements including breathing, and absence of pupillary light response. Ultimately, permanent loss of whole brain functioning has always been the underlying criterion of death (Bernat et al, 1981, p.