– yet, they keep updating their guidelines. That alone should give us pause. This newest iteration actually changes the definition of brain death from “irreversible” cessation of all brain function to “permanent” loss of function. The Uniform Law Commission recently declined to adopt this change because it is too subjective. A permanent brain injury is not necessarily irreversible – it just means the patient did not recover enough function before he or she was declared “dead.”
At the very least, parents who have doubts about the accuracy of brain death determinations should have the right to opt their child out of brain death testing and forced removal of life-sustaining care.
Brain dead diagnoses can be controversial. New guidance looks to help. (usatoday.com)