A structured analysis of the concept of brain death.

Abstract

The tests and procedures used to determine death must be consistent with a coherent concept of death. This concept includes the subject of death, the definition of death, the sign/criterion of death, and the methods used to diagnose death. All four levels must logically build on one another. Additionally, any concept of death must align with the generally accepted meaning of the term "death" in everyday language. Judged by these standards, the current guidelines for determining death based on neurological criteria are not convincing: brain death does not indicate the disintegration of the human organism, and intensive care keeps patients alive and does not 'mask' death. Furthermore, 'permanent' loss of organ function can never reliably indicate death. Thus, the criterion and the definition of death do not match.