Don’t pull the plug on brain death just yet
Date
2004
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Rabbinical Council of America (RCA)
YU Faculty Profile
Abstract
In conclusion, after reading Dr. Kunin’s article, one might erroneously conclude that he has removed the medical underpinnings and halakhic foundations of the earlier decisions of Rav Moshe Feinstein and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel accepting brain death as halakhic death. Would the authors of the original decisions maintain their opinion if presented with the current medical information? I believe the answer to be yes. In short, the halakhic position that accepts brain death is still very much alive. While there is no consensus in the halakhic world about whether brain death constitutes halakhic death, there still remains healthy debate in the spirit of elu ve-elu divrei Elokim hayyim. (from Conclusion)
Description
Scholarly article / Open access
Keywords
Kunin, Joshua, Brain death, Halacha, Medical ethics
Citation
Reichman, E. (2004). Don’t pull the plug on brain death just yet. Tradition, 38(4), 63–69.