Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Self Within Cultural Contexts

Self Within Cultural Contexts

Cultural frameworks for understanding the self are often categorized into two broad orientations: individualism and collectivism. These paradigms influence how people define themselves, relate to others, and interpret their social worlds. Each orientation offers distinct perspectives on autonomy, responsibility, and the role of the individual within a community.Individualistic CulturesIn individualistic cultures like North America and Western Europe, identity is understood as autonomous and...

Impact of Social Context on Individuals

Impact of Social Context on Individuals

Social psychology examines how the real or imagined presence of others influences individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. A key concept in this field is the role of social context in shaping behavior. The same individual may act differently depending on the social setting, due to the varying expectations and norms associated with each environment. This context-dependent behavior illustrates the influence of social roles, which prescribe appropriate conduct in specific situations.Social...

Autophagic Cell Death

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...

Vygotsky's Cognitive Development in Cultural Context

Vygotsky's Cognitive Development in Cultural Context

Lev Vygotsky, a pioneering Russian psychologist, developed a theory of cognitive development that centers on the influence of social and cultural factors. Unlike Jean Piaget, who emphasized the child's direct interaction with the physical world as key to development, Vygotsky argued that cognitive growth is an interpersonal process that unfolds within a cultural context. For Vygotsky, a child's learning cannot be separated from their social environment, which includes the values,...

Overview of Cell Death

Overview of Cell Death

Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...

Brain Waves

Brain Waves

Brain waves are electrical signals generated by the neurons in the brain, which are regularly monitored to measure mental activities. Brain waves and their frequency ranges can be measured using an electroencephalogram or EEG. There are four main types of brain waves, each with distinct characteristics:

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Physicians and relatives facing end-of-life decisions in intensive care: ethical insights from a comparison of French and American models.

BMC medical ethics·2026

Same author

Public Engagement as a Form of Moral Leadership.

The Hastings Center report·2026

Same author

Multidisciplinary perspectives on artificial intelligence in aging research and education: evolving uses, ethics, and equity considerations in gerontology.

The Gerontologist·2025

Same author

The Enigma of Brain Death.

The Hastings Center report·2025

Same author

Imagining Ourselves into the Lives of People Living with Dementia: Toward New Narratives for Aging Societies.

The Hastings Center report·2025

Same author

Innovation with People Living with Dementia: Toward New Narratives about Meaning, Belonging, Community, and Place.

The Hastings Center report·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Brain Death Induction in Mice Using Intra-Arterial Blood Pressure Monitoring and Ventilation via Tracheostomy

Brain Death Induction in Mice Using Intra-Arterial Blood Pressure Monitoring and Ventilation via Tracheostomy

Published on: April 17, 2020

Brain Death at Fifty: Exploring Consensus, Controversy, and Contexts.

Robert D Truog, Nancy Berlinger, Rachel L Zacharias

The Hastings Center Report

|December 26, 2018

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Fifty years after the Harvard Ad Hoc Committee defined brain death, this report revisits the concept. Experts debate the definition of death, exploring neurological injury, biological failure, and social constructs.

More Related Videos

Consensus Brain-derived Protein, Extraction Protocol for the Study of Human and Murine Brain Proteome Using Both 2D-DIGE and Mini 2DE Immunoblotting

Consensus Brain-derived Protein, Extraction Protocol for the Study of Human and Murine Brain Proteome Using Both 2D-DIGE and Mini 2DE Immunoblotting

Published on: April 10, 2014

Generation of CAR T Cells for Adoptive Therapy in the Context of Glioblastoma Standard of Care

Generation of CAR T Cells for Adoptive Therapy in the Context of Glioblastoma Standard of Care

Published on: February 16, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Brain Death Induction in Mice Using Intra-Arterial Blood Pressure Monitoring and Ventilation via Tracheostomy

Brain Death Induction in Mice Using Intra-Arterial Blood Pressure Monitoring and Ventilation via Tracheostomy

Published on: April 17, 2020

Consensus Brain-derived Protein, Extraction Protocol for the Study of Human and Murine Brain Proteome Using Both 2D-DIGE and Mini 2DE Immunoblotting

Consensus Brain-derived Protein, Extraction Protocol for the Study of Human and Murine Brain Proteome Using Both 2D-DIGE and Mini 2DE Immunoblotting

Published on: April 10, 2014

Generation of CAR T Cells for Adoptive Therapy in the Context of Glioblastoma Standard of Care

Generation of CAR T Cells for Adoptive Therapy in the Context of Glioblastoma Standard of Care

Published on: February 16, 2015

Area of Science:

Medical Ethics
Neurology
Organ Transplantation

Background:

Commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Harvard Ad Hoc Committee's report on defining brain death.
The report revolutionized organ transplantation by establishing a new definition of death.
Despite advancements, the definition of death remains a subject of debate.

Discussion:

Explores the biological definition of death based on integrated organism functioning.
Addresses the declaration of death based on severe neurological injury versus intact biological functions.
Examines death as a social construct influenced by human judgment and societal norms.

Key Insights:

The 1968 Harvard report on brain death redefined death, impacting medical practice and organ donation.
Ongoing debates question whether neurological criteria alone suffice for declaring death.
The concept of death involves complex biological, ethical, and social considerations.

Outlook:

Continued interdisciplinary dialogue is crucial for refining the definition of death.
Future discussions will likely address technological advancements and their impact on defining death.
The evolving understanding of death necessitates ongoing ethical and legal reevaluation.