Abstract
century, especially, after the publication of the landmark paper by the Ad Hoc Committee of the Harvard Medical School 1 . This new scientific definition of brain death 2 replaced then prevailing socio-biological concept based on cessation of all the functions of a human body, a somatic or biological death, as a legal death. The concept of brain death has now been accepted as a legal definition of death in many parts of the world, of course with great variations in diagnostic criteria 3 . However, it should be realized that a layperson would be reluctant to accept someone with a beating heart, a normal pulse, a normal blood pressure, a normal colour and a normal temperature as dead. Hence, socio-anthropological concept of death, permanent cessation of somatic and social functions of a human body is most applicable to common public sense.
Highlights
The concept of brain death exists for over hundred years but has been conceptualized only during fifth and sixth decades of the 20th century, especially, after the publication of the landmark paper by the Ad Hoc Committee of the Harvard Medical School 1
It should be realized that a layperson would be reluctant to accept someone with a beating heart, a normal pulse, a normal blood pressure, a normal colour and a normal temperature as dead
Socio-anthropological concept of death, permanent cessation of somatic and social functions of a human body is most applicable to common public sense
Summary
The concept of brain death exists for over hundred years but has been conceptualized only during fifth and sixth decades of the 20th century, especially, after the publication of the landmark paper by the Ad Hoc Committee of the Harvard Medical School 1 This new scientific definition of brain death 2 replaced prevailing socio-biological concept based on cessation of all the functions of a human body, a somatic or biological death, as a legal death. This include disconnection of the artificial respiration, removal of kidneys and other organs for transplantation, issuing death certificates, maternal rights and rights of live foetus in maternal death, insurance disputes in determining whether the death is a result of an injury or a natural cause, prosecuting with murder charges, arranging final religious and astrological customs It is essential for the medical practitioner to clearly understand medico-legal inferences of this concept. These are cortical death better known as permanent vegetative state (PVS), brain stem death and whole brain death concept
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