Question 1

Which of the following developments led the Commission to investigate the possibility of a new medical standard for declaring death?
A) the increased use of artificial means to sustain respiration and circulation
B) the desire to encourage organ donation
C) the growing economic costs of medical care near the end of life
D) the increase in human lifespans in the twentieth century

Accepted Answer

The increased use of artificial means to sustain respiration and circulation, such as mechanical ventilation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, has led to the need for a new medical standard for declaring death. In the past, death was determined by a lack of heartbeat and breathing, but with these artificial means, the distinction between life and death has become blurred.

Question 2

The traditional heart-lung standard for death states that a person is dead if
A) their respiration has irreversibly ceased
B) their circulation has irreversibly ceased
C) (a) or (b)
D) (a) and (b)

Accepted Answer

The traditional heart-lung standard for death states that a person is dead if both their respiration and circulation have irreversibly ceased. This criterion takes into account the fact that the heart and lungs are interconnected; without one, the other cannot function.

Question 3

The model legislation proposed by the Commission states that an individual has died when
A) their circulatory and respiratory functions have irreversibly ceased
B) the functions of their entire brain, including the brain stem, have irreversibly ceased
C) (a) and (b)
D) (a) or (b)

Accepted Answer

The model legislation reflects a definition of death that includes either the irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions (A) or the irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem (B). This dual criterion allows for the determination of death in different medical situations.

Question 4

The 'whole brain' standard for determining death implies that a person may be declared dead when respiration and circulation are maintained by artificial means.

Accepted Answer

The 'whole brain' standard for determining death includes the cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brainstem, even if respiration and circulation are maintained by artificial means.

Question 5

The "higher brain" standard states that a person is dead
A) when the brain fails to integrate the various functions of the body
B) when her psychological capacities, including her consciousness, have been irreversibly lost
C) when the brain's cells have all died
D) when the body's tissues begin to decay

Accepted Answer

The "higher brain" standard, also known as the neurological standard, defines the death of a person as the irreversible loss of all functions of the entire brain, including the cerebrum and brainstem, which are responsible for consciousness and higher psychological functions such as thinking, feeling, and sensing. When the higher brain functions are irreversibly lost, the person is considered dead, even if other bodily functions such as breathing or heartbeat can be maintained with medical technology. Therefore, option B, which refers to the irreversible loss of psychological capacities, is the best choice.

Question 6

What are the two main grounds the Commission cites in favor of its "whole brain" standard for death? In what ways, according to the Commission, is the brain more "central" to life than other bodily organs or functions? Is the Commission's case for the "whole brain" standard convincing? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the two main grounds the...

Question 7

One consequence of the "higher brain" standard is that those in persistent vegetative states (such as Karen Quinlan) are "just as dead as a corpse." Is that a compelling reason to reject the higher brain standard? In what sense, if any, are those in persistent vegetative states living persons?

Accepted Answer

The answer of One consequence of the "higher brain" standard...

Quiz 1: Defining Death

Which of the following developments led the Commission to investigate the possibility of a new medical standard for declaring death?

The traditional heart-lung standard for death states that a person is dead if

The model legislation proposed by the Commission states that an individual has died when

The 'whole brain' standard for determining death implies that a person may be declared dead when respiration and circulation are maintained by artificial means.

The "higher brain" standard states that a person is dead

One consequence of the "higher brain" standard is that those in persistent vegetative states (such as Karen Quinlan) are "just as dead as a corpse." Is that a compelling reason to reject the higher brain standard? In what sense, if any, are those in persistent vegetative states living persons?