If you became brain-dead, would you want them to pull the plug?

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In summary, the conversation revolved around the idea of extending one's life through scientific advancements, specifically preserving the brain after death. One person expressed their desire to keep their body alive even if their brain was dead, while others argued that this would not truly be them and that there are ethical and social implications to immortality. The idea of organ donation was also discussed as a way to potentially save lives after death. Overall, the conversation highlighted the philosophical and practical considerations of preserving life after death.
  • #1
Jamin2112
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I'd want the rest of me to stay alive. Sure it's a lousy way to live but it beats being all-the-way dead.

Maybe if I make it 20 years they'll figure out how to fix dead brains and revive me.
 
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  • #2
Have you considered the massive burden you place on your loved ones? You might have just as much chance as if they freeze you. At least then your family can move on.
 
  • #3
I understand why someone else would want to have the plug pulled, but not I. There's a number of revolutionary treatments in the pipeline, from stem cells to neuroprosthetics. As long as I'm alive I have a chance at it.
 
  • #4
Greg Bernhardt said:
Have you considered the massive burden you place on your loved ones? You might have just as much chance as if they freeze you. At least then your family can move on.

I'd be paying for this myself. It's in my will that if my brain dies then all the money in my bank account will go towards keeping my body alive. At the very least I'll become the longest-living person in history.
 
  • #5
Jamin2112 said:
I'd be paying for this myself. It's in my will that if my brain dies then all the money in my bank account will go towards keeping my body alive. At the very least I'll become the longest-living person in history.

You must be very very well off then. However, I was thinking more of the emotional burden.
 
  • #6
Pull the plug! No rational thought, no cognition, no understanding, no emotion... I would much rather be dead.
 
  • #7
Jamin2112 said:
... if my brain dies then all the money in my bank account will go towards keeping my body alive. ...

No way, man - I'm taking mine with me.
 
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  • #8
Jamin2112 said:
I'd want the rest of me to stay alive. Sure it's a lousy way to live but it beats being all-the-way dead.

Maybe if I make it 20 years they'll figure out how to fix dead brains and revive me.

I doubt it. Your brain is you despite what a certain TV neuroscientist says. If it's dead, you're dead. If it's another organ failure, there might be a chance if real preservation technology existed. But it doesn't and I think it will be much longer than 20 years. Besides, there are enormous social consequences to such immortality. Think about it. The old folks hang around forever and don't leave room for the younger generations (who also want to live forever). Anyway, since we probably can't make new brains without making new identities, the whole idea falls apart. Your brain will eventually die and with it, you will die.
 
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  • #9
Fred Hoyle once posed the question:
(this is from memory so not verbatim)

'Suppose you had a microscope and forceps small enough you could build a replica of yourself atom by atom, duplicating every detail right down to the spin on every single electron.
When you finally set the last atom in place, would your creation sit up and talk to you? Would it share you memories? "

So it becomes a philosophical , or at least metaphysical question.

My advice is: avoid bungee jumping, fast motorcycles and sharks.
 
  • #10
turbo said:
Pull the plug! No rational thought, no cognition, no understanding, no emotion... I would much rather be dead.

Why? You can still do a lot of things without your brain. This baby doesn't even have a brain: . Given the choice of living just by reflexes and not living at all, I'd choose living by reflexes.
 
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  • #11
If you are just brain dead, your organs can be harvested to help save several other lives. It's totally unreasonable to believe that you can be revived after brain death. Pull the plug.
 
  • #12
berkeman said:
your organs can be harvested to help save several other lives.

That's a very good point! One that really puts the question more in perspective.
 
  • #13
SW VandeCarr said:
I doubt it. Your brain is you despite what a certain TV neuroscientist says. If it's dead, you're dead. If it's another organ failure, there might be a chance if real preservation technology existed. But it doesn't and I think it will be much longer than 20 years. Besides, there are enormous social consequences to such immortality. Think about it. The old folks hang around forever and don't leave room for the younger generations (who also want to live forever). Anyway, since we probably can't make new brains without making new identities, the whole idea falls apart. Your brain will eventually die and with it, you will die.

yeah i think the op's question needs to be more specific. maybe he means comatose or some vegetated state
 
  • #14
SW VandeCarr said:
I doubt it. Your brain is you despite what a certain TV neuroscientist says. If it's dead, you're dead. If it's another organ failure, there might be a chance if real preservation technology existed. But it doesn't and I think it will be much longer than 20 years.
Agreed. Since the brain stores information about who you are, destroying it destroys who you are. You might be able to one-day regenerate it or swap it out with a new one, but the information about who you are isn't coming back.

Pull the plug! But make sure you harvest my organs first!
 
  • #15
russ_watters said:
Agreed. but the information about who you are isn't coming back.

Pull the plug! But make sure you harvest my organs first!
Amen! I am signed up as an organ donor. I have lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, etc, etc that might save the lives of others who need them. I don't mind dying, but I don't want to go to waste if others could live.
 
  • #17
turbo said:
I would much rather be dead.

Lol... I always thought the defining aspects of dead, were...

No rational thought, no cognition, no understanding, no emotion...




OCR
 
  • #18
Pull the plug on me too.

This is all temporary. Just keep that in mind, every day you live. Carpe diem!
 
  • #19
Brain dead, as it implies the brain is no longer there and that is me, so I say pull the plug and harvest what you can be used to help others..
 
  • #20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaGBYnSFK2Y
 
  • #21
Jamin2112 said:
Why? You can still do a lot of things without your brain. This baby doesn't even have a brain

At least he has a potential career working for Fox News.

My will is specific. All heroic measures are to be taken regardless of what condition my body is in, as long as my brain is active. Comatose doesn't count, since I've been there and even briefly dead. If a "persistent vegetative state" or "brain death" occurs, then harvest everything that still works (corneas, skin, bones, nerves, heart...) and burn the rest. The alternative approach is donation to a medical school. My brain is my existence. If it's gone, then so am I.
 
  • #22
DiracPool said:
Coma...
Being in a coma does not equal being brain dead.
 
  • #23
Danger said:
At least he has a potential career working for Fox News.

Nope... way overqualified.



OCR
 

1. What does it mean to be brain-dead?

Brain death is a medical condition where there is a complete and irreversible loss of brain function. This means that the brain can no longer support the body's vital functions, such as breathing and blood circulation. It is different from a coma, where there is still some level of brain activity.

2. How is brain death determined?

A team of medical professionals, including a neurologist and other specialists, will perform a series of tests to determine brain death. These may include a physical examination, imaging tests, and electrical tests to assess brain activity. The criteria for brain death vary depending on the country or state, but they usually involve the absence of brainstem reflexes and the absence of brain activity.

3. What are the implications of being brain-dead?

If someone is declared brain-dead, it means that they are legally and medically dead. This means they will no longer be able to breathe on their own, and their heart will stop beating without artificial support. It also means that they will not recover from their condition. However, their organs can still be kept functioning with the help of life support, and they can be used for organ donation.

4. Do I need to have an advance directive for brain death?

An advance directive, also known as a living will, is a legal document that outlines your wishes regarding medical treatment if you are unable to communicate them yourself. It is recommended to have an advance directive in place, including your wishes regarding brain death. However, if you do not have one, your family members or medical team will make decisions based on the laws and protocols in place.

5. Can my family members override my wishes for brain death?

If you have an advance directive in place, your wishes regarding brain death will be followed, and your family members will not be able to override them. However, if you do not have one, your family members may have the legal authority to make decisions on your behalf. It is important to discuss your wishes with your family and loved ones to ensure that they are aware of your wishes and can honor them if needed.

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