Should individuals choose their definition of death?

J Med Ethics. 2008 Sep;34(9):688-9. doi: 10.1136/jme.2007.022921.

Abstract

Alireza Bagheri supports a policy on organ procurement where individuals could choose their own definition of death between two or more socially accepted alternatives. First, we claim that such a policy, without any criterion to distinguish accepted from acceptable definitions, easily leads to the slippery slope that Bagheri tries to avoid. Second, we suggest that a public discussion about the circumstances under which the dead donor rule could be violated is more productive of social trust than constantly moving the line between life and death.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Attitude to Death*
  • Brain Death
  • Death*
  • Humans
  • Personal Autonomy
  • Tissue Donors / ethics
  • Tissue Donors / psychology*
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement / ethics*