PHL 344 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Organ Donation, Brain Death, Homeostasis
Document Summary
Definition: permanent cessation of the organism as a whole. Criterion: permanent cessation of the entire brain. Some people who fail the test may have some brain activity body temp and hormonal homeostasis. Basic tests that are not medically sophisticated. Wbs requires that there is no response. The criterion and definition are not consistent. If someone is left alone and not intervened in, they will eventually cease to function and definition will be met. Assumes that permanent cessation of brian implied permanent cessation of organism. Assumes brain is irreplaceable but icu and machines can take over functions. Potential for consciousness is the critical function. Being permanently unconscious would be necessary and sufficient for a diagnosis of death. Would include people currently diagnosable as dead wbs and crs. Also patients in a permanent vegetative state. Permits a greater pool of organ donors. Without heart and lungs the organism can function.
