| The problematic symmetry between brain birth and brain death. | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 9752625 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
The possible symmetry between the concepts of brain death and brain birth (life) is explored. Since the symmetry argument has tended to overlook the most appropriate definition of brain death, the fundamental concepts of whole brain death and higher brain death are assessed. In this way, a context is provided for a discussion of brain birth. Different writers have placed brain birth at numerous points: 25-40 days, eight weeks, 22-24 weeks, and 32-36 weeks gestation. For others, the concept itself is open to question. Apart from this, it needs to be asked whether a unitary concept is an oversimplification. The merits of defining two stages of brain birth, to parallel the two definitions of brain death, are discussed. An attempt is then made to map these various stages of brain birth and brain death onto a developmental continuum. Although the results hold biological interest, their ethical significance is less evident. Development and degeneration are not interchangeable, and definitions of death apply specifically to those who are dying, not those who are developing. I conclude that while a dual concept of brain death has proved helpful, a dual concept of brain birth still has problems, and the underlying concept of brain birth itself continues to be elusive. |
Authors:
|
D G Jones |
Related Documents
:
|
3089015 - Pregnancy events and brain damage. 9544915 - Spastic diplegia as a complication of interferon alfa-2a treatment of hemangiomas of in... 23787425 - Congenital torticollis and saccular dysfunction: a case report. 8153195 - Chance, structure, stress: the birth and development of the human mind-brain. 9391365 - Comparison of confidence between mothers who breastfed and formula fed their preterm in... 20923825 - Diagnosis and prevention of iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia in infants and y... |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article; Review |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Journal of medical ethics Volume: 24 ISSN: 0306-6800 ISO Abbreviation: J Med Ethics Publication Date: 1998 Aug |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 1998-12-04 Completed Date: 1998-12-04 Revised Date: 2009-11-18 |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 7513619 Medline TA: J Med Ethics Country: ENGLAND |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 237-42 Citation Subset: E; IM |
Affiliation:
|
University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Beginning of Human Life* Brain / growth & development* Brain Death / diagnosis*, physiopathology* Ethics, Medical* Female Gestational Age Humans Labor, Obstetric / physiology* Life* Personhood* Pregnancy |
| Comments/Corrections | |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: The cost of refusing treatment and equality of outcome.
Next Document: The scope for the involvement of patients in their consultations with health professionals: rights, ...