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[A complete and precise reformulation of human death]
1Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neurológicos, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, La Habana, Cuba. ogarcia@infomed.sld.cu
Revista De Neurologia
|July 11, 1998
Summary
The definition of human death is reformulated by proposing a neurological standard based on the irreversible loss of consciousness and the organism
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Philosophy of Medicine
- Bioethics
Context:
- Current debates on the concept and determination of death highlight a lack of integrating rationale and precise formulation.
- Inconsistencies in existing death concepts necessitate a re-evaluation.
Purpose:
- To propose a neurological standard for redefining human death.
- To introduce the 'consciousness-organism-as-a-whole' system and its critical metafunction as the basis for this redefinition.
Summary:
- Human death is defined as the irreversible loss of consciousness (encompassing its three anatomical and physiological components).
- This loss is inherently and inseparably linked to the loss of the organism's capacity to function as a whole.
- The proposed definition is grounded in the 'consciousness-organism-as-a-whole' system's critical metafunction, representing the highest hierarchical level of qualitative organization.
Impact:
- This re-approach offers a rationale that overcomes limitations of current and competing conceptions of death.
- It addresses implications at the intersection of neurology with other disciplines, fostering clearer understanding and application.
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