The articles “Are Organ Donors Really Dead: The Near-Irrelevance of Autoresuscitation” by Robert M. Veatch and “DCDD Donors Are Not Dead” by Ari Joffe raises the problem of resuscitation and brain donation. These two topics are thoroughly related to the previously conducted research on giving new life to a dead brain. The mentioned articles determine the notion of death as well as ethical aspects of brain donation and resuscitation.
Ari Joffe opens his article by providing a clear definition of the term “death”. According to the researcher, death is “permanent loss of the capacity for consciousness and all brainstem functions” (Joffe). In this definition, “the loss of the capacity for consciousness” means that the body will no longer provide the person with conditions to perceive, think, and be conscious; and these functions cannot be restored (Joffe). He also mentions the primary reason for this condition, which is either permanent cessation of circulation or brain injury (Joffe). Therefore, death is considered to be irrevocable: mortals cannot be resurrected from being dead, while resuscitation by human actions just interrupts the process of dying.
The second article points out that some DCD protocols should be reconsidered since the patient might be dead according to brain criteria even if the autoresuscitation can take place. When the patient is dead because of brain injuries or other brain-based problems, autoresuscitation is irrelevant because the brain is already dead (Veatch). Furthermore, the more time is needed to rule out the autoresuscitation, the more brain tissues might get damaged.
The findings described in the articles can be later used by those scientists who are occupied with the question of bringing the brain back to life. As can be seen, death might be pronounced either because of the impossibility of circulatory functions or severe brain damages. In some cases, autoresuscitation is impossible since the damage to the brain function cannot be irrevocable. Therefore, the patient should be announced dead whenever the brain function is impossible to be restored.
Works Cited
Joffe, Ari. “DCDD Donors Are Not Dead”. Hastings Center Report, vol 48, 2018, pp. S29-S32. Wiley.
Veatch, Robert M. “Are Organ Donors Really Dead: The Near-Irrelevance of Autoresuscitation”. The American Journal of Bioethics, vol 18, no. 8, 2018, pp. 1-2. Informa UK Limited.