Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

In 1968, the definition of death in the United States was expanded to include not just death by cardiopulmonary criteria, but also death by neurologic criteria. We explore the way the definition has been modified by the medical and legal communities over the past 50 years and address the medical, legal and ethical controversies associated with the definition at present, with a particular highlight on the Supreme Court of Nevada Case of Aden Hailu.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

E. F. M.

Wijdicks

, “The Neurologist and Harvard Criteria for Brain Death,” Neurology 61, no. 7 (2003): 970-976.

Belkin

, Death Before Dying (New York: Oxford University Press, 2014).

“A Definition of Irreversible Coma: Report of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Harvard Medical School to Examine the Definition of Brain Death,”

JAMA 205, no. 6 (1968): 337-340.

Id.

See Wijdicks, supra note 1;

H. K.

Beecher

, “After the ‘Definition of Irreversible Coma,’” New England Journal of Medicine 281, no. 19 (1969): 1070-1071.

Defining Death: Medical, Legal and Ethical Issues in the Determination of Death. President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research (1981).

Id.

10.

Id.

11.

E. F. M.

Wijdicks

, “Determining Brain Death in Adults,” Neurology 45, no. 5 (1995): 1003-1011.

12.

Id.

13.

Id.

14.

E. F. M.

Wijdicks

et al ., “Evidence-Based Guideline Update: Determining Brain Death in Adults: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology,” Neurology 74, no. 23 (2010): 1911-1918; see also supra note 7.

15.

D. M.

Greer

et al ., “Variability of Brain Death Policies in the United States,” JAMA Neurology 73, no. 2 (2016): 213-218.

16.

In re Guardianship of Hailu, 361 P.3d 524.(2015).

17.

Id.

18.

Id.

19.

Id.

20.

Id.

21.

Associated Press, “20-Year-Old Woman Involved in Months-Long Court Battle over Treatment at Reno Hospital Dies on Life Support,” Daily News, January 5, 2016.

22.

Id.

23.

In re Guardianship of Hailu, 361 P.3d 524.(2015).

24.

In re Welfare of Bowman, 617 P. 2d 731.(1980); In re Haymer, 115 Ill.App.3d 349, 450 N.E.2d 940.(1983).

25.

10 N.Y.C.R.R. § 400.16.

26.

Ala. Code §22-31-1; Alaska Stat. §09.68.120; Ariz. Rev. Stat. §14-1107; Ark. Code §20-17-101; Ca. Health & Saf. Code §7180; Colo. Rev. Stat. §12-36-136; Conn. Gen. Stat. §19a-504a; Del. Code. Tit. 24, §1760; Fla. Stat. §765.511; Ga. Code. Ann. §31-10-16; Haw. Rev. Stat. §327C-1; Idaho Code Ann. §54-1819; Ind. Code §1-1-4-3; Iowa Code § 702.8; Kan. Stat. Ann. §77-205; Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §446.400; La. Stat. Ann. §9:111; Me. Stat. Tit. 22, §2811; Md. Code, Com. Law §5—202; Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 190B, §1-107; Mich. Comp. Laws §333.1033; Minn. Stat. §145.135; Miss. Code Ann. §41-36-3; Mo. Rev. Stat. §194.005; Mont. Code Ann. §50-22-101; Neb. Rev. Stat. §71-7202; Nev. Rev. Stat. §451.007; N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6A; N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §141-D:2; N.M. Stat. §12-2-4; N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-323; N.D. Cent. Code §23-06.3-01; Ohio Rev. Code §2108.40; Okla. Stat. Tit. 63, §3122; Or. Rev. Stat. §112.582; 35 Pa. Cons. Stat. §10203; 23 R. I. Gen. Laws §23-4-26; S.C. Code Ann. §44-43-460; S.D. Codified Laws §34-25-18.1; Tenn. Code Ann. §68-3-501; Tex. HS. Code §671.001; Utah Code §26-34-2; Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 18, §5218; Va. Code Ann. §54.1-2972; W. Va. Code § 16-10-01; Wis. Stat. Ann. § 146.71; Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-19-101; D. C. Code § 7—601.

27.

In re Welfare of Bowman, 617 P. 2d 731.(1980); Ca. Health & Saf. Code §7180; Del. Code. Tit. 24, §1760; Ind. Code §1-1-4-3; Minn. Stat. §145.135; Nev. Rev. Stat. §451.007; Tenn. Code Ann. §68-3-501; Kan. Stat. Ann. §77-204; Me. Stat. Tit. 22, §2813; Neb. Rev. Stat. §71-7201; N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §141-D:1; Okla. Stat. Tit. 63, §3121; 35 Pa. Cons. Stat. §10201; S.C. Code Ann. §44-43-450; Utah Code §26-34-1; W. Va. Code § 16-10-04; Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-19-103.

28.

Ca. Health & Saf. Code §7180; Del. Code. Tit. 24, §1760; Ind. Code §1-1-4-3; Nev. Rev. Stat. §451.007; Tenn. Code Ann. §68-3-501; Me. Stat. Tit. 22, §2812; Neb. Rev. Stat. §71-7203; Okla. Stat. Tit. 63, §3123; 35 Pa. Cons. Stat. §10202; W. Va. Code § 16-10-02; Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-19-102.

29.

In re Welfare of Bowman, 617 P. 2d 731.(1980); 10 N.Y.C.R.R. § 400.16; Ala. Code §22-31-1; Alaska Stat. §09.68.120; Ark. Code §20-17-101; Ca. Health & Saf. Code §7180; Colo. Rev. Stat. §12-36-136; Conn. Gen. Stat. §19a-504a; Del. Code. Tit. 24, §1760; Idaho Code Ann. §54-1819; Ind. Code §1-1-4-3; Kan. Stat. Ann. §77-205; Me. Stat. Tit. 22, §2811; Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 190B, §1-107; Mich. Comp. Laws §333.1033; Miss. Code Ann. §41-36-3; Mont. Code Ann. §50-22-101; Neb. Rev. Stat. §71-7202; Nev. Rev. Stat. §451.007; N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §141-D:2; N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §141-D:2; N.D. Cent. Code §23-06.3-01; Ohio Rev. Code §2108.40; Okla. Stat. Tit. 63, §3122; Or. Rev. Stat. §112.582; 35 Pa. Cons. Stat. §10203; 23 R. I. Gen. Laws §23-4-26; S.C. Code Ann. §44-43-460; S.D. Codified Laws §34-25-18.1; Tenn. Code Ann. §68-3-501; Utah Code §26-34-2; Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 18, §5218; W. Va. Code § 16-10-01; Wis. Stat. Ann. § 146.71; Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-19-101; D. C. Code § 7—601

30.

In re Welfare of Bowman, 617 P. 2d 731.(1980); In re Haymer, 115 Ill.App.3d 349, 450 N.E.2d; 940.(1983); 10 N.Y.C.R.R. § 400.16; Ala. Code §22-31-1; Alaska Stat. §09.68.120; Ark. Code §20-17-101; Ca. Health & Saf. Code §7180; Colo. Rev. Stat. §12-36-136; Conn. Gen. Stat. §19a-504a; Del. Code. Tit. 24, §1760; Fla. Stat. §765.511; Ga. Code. Ann. §31-10-16; Haw. Rev. Stat. §327C-1; Idaho Code Ann. §54-1819; Ind. Code §1-1-4-3; Iowa Code § 702.8; Kan. Stat. Ann. §77-205; Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §446.400; La. Stat. Ann. §9:111; Me. Stat. Tit. 22, §2811; Md. Code, Com. Law §5—202; Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 190B, §1-107; Mich. Comp. Laws §333.1033; Minn. Stat. §145.135; Miss. Code Ann. §41-36-3; Mo. Rev. Stat. §194.005; Mont. Code Ann. §50-22-101; Neb. Rev. Stat. §71-7202; Nev. Rev. Stat. §451.007; N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6A; N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §141-D:2; N.M. Stat. §12-2-4; N.D. Cent. Code §23-06.3-01; Ohio Rev. Code §2108.40; Okla. Stat. Tit. 63, §3122; Or. Rev. Stat. §112.582; 35 Pa. Cons. Stat. §10203; 23 R. I. Gen. Laws §23-4-26; S.C. Code Ann. §44-43-460; S.D. Codified Laws §34-25-18.1; Tenn. Code Ann. §68-3-501; Tex. HS. Code §671.001; Utah Code §26-34-2; Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 18, §5218; Va. Code Ann. §54.1-2972; W. Va. Code § 16-10-01; Wis. Stat. Ann. § 146.71; Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-19-101; D. C. Code § 7—601.

31.

In re Haymer, 115 Ill.App.3d 349, 450 N.E.2d; 940.(1983); Iowa Code § 702.8; La. Stat. Ann. §9:111; N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-323; Tex. HS. Code §671.001.

32.

In re Welfare of Bowman, 617 P. 2d 731.(1980); 10 N.Y.C.R.R. § 400.16; Ala. Code §22-31-1; Alaska Stat. §09.68.120; Ariz. Rev. Stat. §14-1107; Ark. Code §20-17-101; Ca. Health & Saf. Code §7180; Colo. Rev. Stat. §12-36-136; Conn. Gen. Stat. §19a-504a; Del. Code. Tit. 24, §1760; Idaho Code Ann. §54-1819; Ind. Code §1-1-4-3; Kan. Stat. Ann. §77-205; Me. Stat. Tit. 22, §2811; Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 190B, §1-107; Mich. Comp. Laws §333.1033; Miss. Code Ann. §41-36-3; Mont. Code Ann. §50-22-101; Neb. Rev. Stat. §71-7202; Nev. Rev. Stat. §451.007; N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §141-D:2; N.M. Stat. §12-2-4; N.D. Cent. Code §23-06.3-01; Ohio Rev. Code §2108.40; Okla. Stat. Tit. 63, §3122; Or. Rev. Stat. §112.582; 35 Pa. Cons. Stat. §10203; 23 R. I. Gen. Laws §23-4-26; S.C. Code Ann. §44-43-460; S.D. Codified Laws §34-25-18.1; Tenn. Code Ann. §68-3-501; Utah Code §26-34-2; Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 18, §5218; W. Va. Code § 16-10-01; Wis. Stat. Ann. § 146.71; Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-19-101; D. C. Code § 7—601.

33.

In re Haymer, 115 Ill.App.3d 349, 450 N.E.2d; 940.(1983); Fla. Stat. §765.511; Haw. Rev. Stat. §327C-1; Iowa Code § 702.8; Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §446.400; La. Stat. Ann. §9:111; Md. Code, Com. Law §5—202; Minn. Stat. §145.135; Mo. Rev. Stat. §194.005; N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6A; N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-323; Tex. HS. Code §671.001; Va. Code Ann. §54.1-2972.

34.

Ga. Code. Ann. §31-10-16.

35.

Idaho Code Ann. §54-1819.

36.

Va. Code Ann. §54.1-2972.

37.

N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6A.

38.

Ind. Code §1-1-4-3; Neb. Rev. Stat. §71-7202; 35 Pa. Cons. Stat. §10203.

39.

Ala. Code §22-31-2.

40.

Ariz. Rev. Stat. §14-1107.

41.

Ga. Code. Ann. §31-10-16.

42.

N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-323.

43.

Ala. Code §22-19-173; Alaska Stat. §13.52.223; Ariz. Rev. Stat. §36-852; Ark. Code §20-17-1214; Ca. Health & Saf. Code §7150.65; Colo. Rev. Stat. §12-34-114; Conn. Gen. Stat. §19a-289m; Del. Code. Tit. 16, §2716; D. C. Code § 7-1531.13; Fla. Stat. §765.517; Ga. Code. Ann. §44-5-152; Haw. Rev. Stat. §327-14; Idaho Code Ann. §39-3415; 755 Ill. Comp. Stat. §50/5-45; Ind. Code §29-2-16.1-15; Iowa Code §142C.8; Kan. Stat. Ann. §65-3233; Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §311.1935; La. Stat. Ann. §17:2357; Me. Stat. Tit. 22, §2954; Md. Code, Com. Law §4-512; Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 113A, §14; Mich. Comp. Laws §333.10114; Minn. Stat. §525A.14; Miss. Code Ann. §41-39-127; Mo. Rev. Stat. §194.265; Mont. Code Ann. §72-17-301; Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-4837; Nev. Rev. Stat. §451.579; N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §291-A:14; N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6-89; N.M. Stat. §24-6B-14; N.Y. U.C.C. Law §4306; N.C. Gen. Stat. §130A-412.16; N.D. Cent. Code §23-06.6-13; Ohio Rev. Code §2108.16; Okla. Stat. Tit. 63, §2200.14A; Or. Rev. Stat. §97.972; 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. §8616; 23 R. I. Gen. Laws §23-18.6.1-14; S.C. Code Ann. §44-43-365; S.D. Codified Laws §34-26-61; Tenn. Code Ann. §68-30-114; Tex. HS. Code §692A.014; Utah Code §26-28-114; Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 18, §5250n; Va. Code Ann. §32.1-291.14; 68.64.120; W. Va. Code § 16-19-14; Wis. Stat. Ann. § 157.06; Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-5-213.

44.

Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 18, §5250n.

45.

Fla. Stat. §765.517.

46.

Iowa Code §142C.8.

47.

N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6-89; 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. §8616.

48.

Mont. Code Ann. §72-17-301.

49.

Ca. Health & Saf. Code §7150.20.

50.

Okla. Stat. Tit. 63, §3122; Va. Code Ann. §54.1-2972.

51.

Va. Code Ann. §54.1-2972.

52.

10 N.Y.C.R.R. § 400.16; N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6A; Ca. Health & Saf. Code §1254.4; 210 Ill. Comp. Stat. §85/6.24.

53.

N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6A.

54.

10 N.Y.C.R.R. § 400.16.

55.

Ca. Health & Saf. Code §1254.4.

56.

210 Ill. Comp. Stat. §85/6.24.

57.

See President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research, supra note 7.

58.

Id.

59.

In re Guardianship of Hailu, 361 P.3d 524.(2015); In re Welfare of Bowman, 617 P. 2d 731.(1980); In re Haymer, 115 Ill. App.3d 349, 450 N.E.2d 940.(1983); 10 N.Y.C.R.R. § 400.16; Ala. Code §22-31-1; Alaska Stat. §09.68.120; Ariz. Rev. Stat. §14-1107; Ark. Code §20-17-101; Ca. Health & Saf. Code §7180; Colo. Rev. Stat. §12-36-136; Conn. Gen. Stat. §19a-504a; Del. Code. Tit. 24, §1760; Fla. Stat. §765.511; Ga. Code. Ann. §31-10-16; Haw. Rev. Stat. §327C-1; Idaho Code Ann. §54-1819; Ind. Code §1-1-4-3; Iowa Code § 702.8; Kan. Stat. Ann. §77-205; Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §446.400; La. Stat. Ann. §9:111; Me. Stat. Tit. 22, §2811; Md. Code, Com. Law §5—202; Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 190B, §1-107; Mich. Comp. Laws §333.1033; Minn. Stat. §145.135; Miss. Code Ann. §41-36-3; Mo. Rev. Stat. §194.005; Mont. Code Ann. §50-22-101; Neb. Rev. Stat. §71-7202; Nev. Rev. Stat. §451.007; N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6A; N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §141-D:2; N.M. Stat. §12-2-4; N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-323; N.D. Cent. Code §23-06.3-01; Ohio Rev. Code §2108.40; Okla. Stat. Tit. 63, §3122; Or. Rev. Stat. §112.582; 35 Pa. Cons. Stat. §10203; 23 R. I. Gen. Laws §23-4-26; S.C. Code Ann. §44-43-460; S.D. Codified Laws §34-25-18.1; Tenn. Code Ann. §68-3-501; Tex. HS. Code §671.001; Utah Code §26-34-2; Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 18, §5218; Va. Code Ann. §54.1-2972; W. Va. Code § 16-10-01; Wis. Stat. Ann. § 146.71; Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-19-101; D. C. Code § 7—601.

60.

S. D.

Shemie

et al ., “International Guideline Development for the Determination of Death,” Intensive Care Medicine 40, no. 6 (2014): 788-797.

61.

C. L.

Sprung

et al ., “Seeking Worldwide Professional Consensus on the Principles of End-of-Life Care for the Critically Ill: The Consensus for Worldwide End-of-Life Practice for Patients in Intensive Care Units (WELPICUS) Study,” American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 190, no. 8 (2014): 855-866.

62.

In re Guardianship of Hailu, 361 P.3d 524.(2015).

63.

K. G.

Karakatsanis

, “Brain Death: Should It Be Reconsidered?” Spinal Cord 46, no. 6 (2008): 396-401.

64.

Id.

65.

Ariz. Rev. Stat. §14-1107.

66.

In re Welfare of Bowman, 617 P. 2d 731.(1980); In re Haymer, 115 Ill.App.3d 349, 450 N.E.2d 940.(1983); 10 N.Y.C.R.R. § 400.16; Ala. Code §22-31-1; Alaska Stat. §09.68.120; Ark. Code §20-17-101; Ca. Health & Saf. Code §7180; Colo. Rev. Stat. §12-36-136; Conn. Gen. Stat. §19a-504a; Del. Code. Tit. 24, §1760; Fla. Stat. §765.511; Ga. Code. Ann. §31-10-16; Haw. Rev. Stat. §327C-1; Idaho Code Ann. §54-1819; Ind. Code §1-1-4-3; Iowa Code § 702.8; Kan. Stat. Ann. §77-205; Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §446.400; La. Stat. Ann. §9:111; Me. Stat. Tit. 22, §2811; Md. Code, Com. Law §5—202; Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 190B, §1-107; Mich. Comp. Laws §333.1033; Minn. Stat. §145.135; Miss. Code Ann. §41-36-3; Mo. Rev. Stat. §194.005; Mont. Code Ann. §50-22-101; Neb. Rev. Stat. §71-7202; Nev. Rev. Stat. §451.007; N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6A; N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §141-D:2; N.M. Stat. §12-2-4; N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-323; N.D. Cent. Code §23-06.3-01; Ohio Rev. Code §2108.40; Okla. Stat. Tit. 63, §3122; Or. Rev. Stat. §112.582; 35 Pa. Cons. Stat. §10203; 23 R. I. Gen. Laws §23-4-26; S.C. Code Ann. §44-43-460; S.D. Codified Laws §34-25-18.1; Tenn. Code Ann. §68-3-501; Tex. HS. Code §671.001; Utah Code §26-34-2; Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 18, §5218; Va. Code Ann. §54.1-2972; W. Va. Code § 16-10-01; Wis. Stat. Ann. § 146.71; Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-19-101; D. C. Code § 7—601.

67.

In re Haymer, 115 Ill.App.3d 349, 450 N.E.2d 940.(1983); Iowa Code § 702.8; La. Stat. Ann. §9:111; N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-323; Tex. HS. Code §671.001.

68.

In re Haymer, 115 Ill.App.3d 349, 450 N.E.2d 940.(1983); Iowa Code § 702.8; La. Stat. Ann. §9:111; N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-323; Tex. HS. Code §671.001.

69.

C. M.

Burkle ,

R. R.

Sharp , and

E. F.

Wijdicks , “Why Brain Death Is Considered Death and Why There Should Be No Confusion,” Neurology 83, no. 16 (2014): 1464-1469; see Shemie et al., supra note 60; Sprung et al., supra note 61.

70.

L. A.

Siminoff ,

Burant , and

S. J.

Youngner , “Death and Organ Procurement: Public Beliefs and Attitudes,” Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal 14, no. 3 (2004): 217-234; S. K. Shah, K. Kasper, and F. G. Miller, “A Narrative Review of the Empirical Evidence on Public Attitudes on Brain Death and Vital Organ Transplantation: The Need for Better Data to Inform Policy,” Journal of Medical Ethics 41, no. 4 (2015): 291-296; A. Lewis. “The History of Brain Death and How the Jahi McMath Case Will Impact Future Brain Dead Patients,” Medicine and Law 34, no. 3 (2015): 497-508; A. Bagheri et al., “Brain Death and Organ Transplantation: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice among Japanese Students,” Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics 13, no. 1 (2003): 3-5; N. Wig, P. Gupta, and S. Kailash, “Awareness of Brain Death and Organ Transplantation among Select Indian Population,” Journal of the Association of Physicians in India 51 (2003): 455-458.

71.

See Siminoff, Burant, and Youngner, supra note 70; Shah, Kasper, and Miller, supra note 70.

72.

Lewis ,

Varelas , and

Greer , “Prolonging Support after Brain Death: When Families Ask for More,” Neurocritical Care 24, no. 3 (2016): 481-7.

73.

10 N.Y.C.R.R. § 400.16; N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6A; Ca. Health & Saf. Code §1254.4; 210 Ill. Comp. Stat. §85/6.24.

74.

R. A.

Burt

, “The Medical Futility Debate: Patient Choice, Physician Obligation, and End-of-Life Care,” Journal of Palliative Medicine 5, no. 2 (2002): 249-254.

75.

See President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research, supra note 7.

76.

Id.

77.

See Burkle, Sharp, and Wijdicks, supra note 69; Lewis, Varelas, and Greer, supra note 72.

78.

See President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research, supra note 7.

79.

Id.

80.

81.

Ga. Code. Ann. §31-10-16.

82.

83.

In re Haymer, 115 Ill.App.3d 349, 450 N.E.2d 940.(1983); Fla. Stat. §765.511; Haw. Rev. Stat. §327C-1; Iowa Code § 702.8; Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §446.400; La. Stat. Ann. §9:111; Md. Code, Com. Law §5—202; Minn. Stat. §145.135; Mo. Rev. Stat. §194.005; N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6A; N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-323; Tex. HS. Code §671.001; Va. Code Ann. §54.1-2972.

84.

In re Guardianship of Hailu, 361 P.3d 524.(2015).

85.

See President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research, supra note 7.

86.

See Wijdicks, supra note 1; See “A Definition of Irreversible Coma: Report of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Harvard Medical School to Examine the Definition of Brain Death,” supra note 3.

87.

D. J.

Powner ,

J. V.

Snyder , and

Grenvik , “Brain Death Certification: A Review,” Critical Care Medicine 5, no. 5 (1977): 230-233.

88.

See Wijdicks, supra note 11.

89.

Z. Y.

Ding

et al ., “A Comparison of Brain Death Criteria between China and the United States,” Chinese Medical Journal (English) 128, no. 21 (2015): 2896-2901.

90.

See President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research, supra note 7; N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6A.

91.

C. M.

Burkle ,

A. M.

Schipper ,

E. F. M.

Wijdicks , “Brain Death and the Courts,” Neurology 76, no. 9 (2011): 837-841.

92.

In re Guardianship of Hailu, 361 P.3d 524.(2015).

93.

Id.

94.

Id.; Wijdicks et al., supra note 14.

95.

See Wijdicks et al., supra note 14.

96.

In re Guardianship of Hailu, 361 P.3d 524.(2015).

97.

See “A Definition of Irreversible Coma: Report of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Harvard Medical School to Examine the Definition of Brain Death,” supra note 3.

98.

H. K.

Beecher

, “Definitions of ‘Life’ and ‘Death’ for Medical Science and Practice,” Annals of the New York Academy of Science 169, no. 2 (1970): 471-474.

99.

See Powner, Snyder, and Grenvik, supra note 87;

Mohandas and

S. N.

Chou , “Brain Death: A Clinical and Pathological Study,” Journal of Neurosurgery 35, no. 2 (1971): 211-218.

100.

E. F. M.

Wijdicks

, “The Case against Confirmatory Tests for Determining Brain Death in Adults,” Neurology 75, no. 1 (2010): 77-83; See “A Definition of Irreversible Coma: Report of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Harvard Medical School to Examine the Definition of Brain Death,” supra note 3.

101.

Id.; see Powner, Snyder, and Grenvik supra note 87.

102.

See. Wijdicks, supra note 100.

103.

See “A definition of irreversible coma. Report of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Harvard Medical School to Examine the Definition of Brain Death,” supra note 3; Wijdicks et al., supra note 14.

104.

In re Guardianship of Hailu, 361 P.3d 524.(2015).

105.

Nev. Rev. Stat. §451.007.

106.

See Wijdicks, supra note 11.

107.

See President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research, supra note 7; see Wijdicks, supra note 11; In re Guardianship of Hailu, 361 P.3d 524.(2015).

108.

See Ding et al., supra note 89.

109.

See President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research, supra note 7; In re Guardianship of Hailu, 361 P.3d 524.(2015).

110.

In re Welfare of Bowman, 617 P. 2d 731.(1980); In re Haymer, 115 Ill.App.3d 349, 450 N.E.2d 940.(1983); 10 N.Y.C.R.R. § 400.16; Ala. Code §22-31-1; Alaska Stat. §09.68.120; Ark. Code §20-17-101; Ariz. Rev. Stat. §14-1107; Ca. Health & Saf. Code §7180; Colo. Rev. Stat. §12-36-136; Conn. Gen. Stat. §19a-504a; Del. Code. Tit. 24, §1760; Fla. Stat. §765.511; Ga. Code. Ann. §31-10-16; Haw. Rev. Stat. §327C-1; Idaho Code Ann. §54-1819; Ind. Code §1-1-4-3; Iowa Code § 702.8; Kan. Stat. Ann. §77-205; Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §446.400; La. Stat. Ann. §9:111; Me. Stat. Tit. 22, §2811; Md. Code, Com. Law §5—202; Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 190B, §1-107; Mich. Comp. Laws §333.1033; Minn. Stat. §145.135; Miss. Code Ann. §41-36-3; Mo. Rev. Stat. §194.005; Mont. Code Ann. §50-22-101; Neb. Rev. Stat. §71-7202; Nev. Rev. Stat. §451.007; N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6A; N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §141-D:2; N.M. Stat. §12-2-4; N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-323; N.D. Cent. Code §23-06.3-01; Ohio Rev. Code §2108.40; Okla. Stat. Tit. 63, §3122; Or. Rev. Stat. §112.582; 35 Pa. Cons. Stat. §10203; 23 R. I. Gen. Laws §23-4-26; S.C. Code Ann. §44-43-460; S.D. Codified Laws §34-25-18.1; Tenn. Code Ann. §68-3-501; Tex. HS. Code §671.001; Utah Code §26-34-2; Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 18, §5218; Va. Code Ann. §54.1-2972; W. Va. Code § 16-10-01; Wis. Stat. Ann. § 146.71; Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-19-101; D. C. Code § 7—601.

111.

See Wijdicks et al., supra note 14; In re Guardianship of Hailu, 361 P.3d 524.(2015).

112.

Defining Death: Medical, Legal and Ethical Issues in the Determination of Death.

113.

See Shemie et al., supra note 60.

114.

In re Guardianship of Hailu, 361 P.3d 524.(2015); see Lewis, Varelas, and Greer, supra note 72.

115.

Id. (Lewis et al.).

116.

Ariz. Rev. Stat. §14-1107.

117.

In re Haymer, 115 Ill.App.3d 349, 450 N.E.2d 940.(1983).

118.

Iowa Code § 702.8.

119.

La. Stat. Ann. §9:111.

120.

N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-323.

121.

Tex. HS. Code §671.001.

122.

Fla. Stat. §765.511; N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6A.

123.

Ga. Code. Ann. §31-10-16.

124.

Haw. Rev. Stat. §327C-1.

125.

In re Haymer, 115 Ill.App.3d 349, 450 N.E.2d 940.(1983); Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §446.400; Mo. Rev. Stat. §194.005.

126.

Iowa Code § 702.8; Tex. HS. Code §671.001; Md. Code, Com. Law §5—202; Va. Code Ann. §54.1-2972.

127.

La. Stat. Ann. §9:111.

128.

Minn. Stat. §145.135.

129.

N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-323.

130.

Ala. Code §22-31-1.

131.

Alaska Stat. §09.68.120; Alaska Stat. §08.68.700; Alaska Stat. §18.08.089.

132.

Ariz. Rev. Stat. §36-852; Ariz. Rev. Stat. §36-325; Ariz. Rev. Stat. §32-2531.

133.

Ark. Code §20-17-1214; Ark. Code §20-18-601.

134.

Ca. Health & Saf. Code §7181; Ca. Health & Saf. Code §102795.

135.

Colo. Rev. Stat. §12-34-114.

136.

Conn. Gen. Stat. §19a-289m; Conn. Gen. Stat. §20-101a; Conn. Gen. Stat. §Sec. 20-12d; Conn. Gen. Stat. §7-62b.

137.

Del. Code. Tit. 24, §1760; Del. Code. Tit. 24, §1935; Del. Code. Tit. 24, §1902.

138.

D. C. Code §5-1405; D. C. Code §7-211.

139.

Fla. Stat. §382.009.

140.

Ga. Code. Ann. §43-34-25; Ga. Code. Ann. §31-10-16.

141.

Haw. Rev. Stat. §327C-1.

142.

Idaho Code Ann. §39-260.

143.

410 Ill. Comp. Stat. §535/18.

144.

Ind. Code §16-37-1-3.1.

145.

Iowa Code § 144.26; Iowa Code § 702.8.

146.

Kan. Stat. Ann. §65-2412.

147.

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §213.076; Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §446.400; Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §314.046.

148.

La. Stat. Ann. §9:111.

149.

Me. Stat. Tit. 22, §2842.

150.

Md. Code, Com. Law §4-212.

151.

Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 46, §9.

152.

Mich. Comp. Laws §333.1033.

153.

Minn. Stat. §525A.14.

154.

Miss. Code Ann. §41-39-127.

155.

Mo. Rev. Stat. §193.145.

156.

Mont. Code Ann. §50-15-403.

157.

Neb. Rev. Stat. §71-605.

158.

Nev. Rev. Stat. §440.380; Nev. Rev. Stat. §440.415.

159.

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §5-C:64.

160.

N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6-89; N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6-8.1; N.J. Rev. Stat. §26:6A.

161.

N.M. Stat. §24-14-20.

162.

N.Y. U.C.C. Law §4141.

163.

N.C. Gen. Stat. §130A-115; N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-323.

164.

N.D. Cent. Code §23-02.1-19.

165.

Ohio Rev. Code §2108.40; Ohio Rev. Code §4723.36; Ohio Rev. Code §4730.202.

166.

Okla. Stat. Tit. 63, §1-317.

167.

Or. Rev. Stat. §432.133; Or. Rev. Stat. §677.518; Or. Rev. Stat. §678.375.

168.

35 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 450.502.

169.

23 R. I. Gen. Laws §23-3-16.

170.

S.C. Code Ann. §44-63-74.

171.

S.D. Codified Laws §34-25-18.

172.

Tenn. Code Ann. §68-3-502; Tenn. Code Ann. §68-3-511; Tenn. Code Ann. §68-3-512.

173.

Tex. HS. Code §671.001.

174.

Utah Code §26-2-13.

175.

Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 18, § 5202.

176.

Va. Code Ann. §32.1-263; Va. Code Ann. §54.1-2972.

177.

70.58.170.

178.

W. Va. Code § 16-5-19.

179.

Wis. Stat. Ann. § 69.18.

180.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-1-418.

Shouldn't Dead Be Dead?: The Search for a Uniform Definition of Death

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References