I. Kerridge et al., Commentary [on the definition of human death].

• Position: Abstracts

29 J. MED. ETHICS 202 (2003).

Many countries have accepted a "whole brain" definition of death. But the confusion between differing definitions of death and criteria for a diagnosis of death is at the root of much of the public, legislative, and clinical confusion regarding brain death. A review of the literature supports the conclusion that the terms brain death and brain stem death are frequently used interchangeably and that many clinicians equate brain death with brain stem death.

The authors argue that the definition of death should not be related to organ transplantation and it is biologically, philosophically...