title: On dying more than one death.
abstract: Death (with a capital D) can best be understood as a series of distinct but related deaths. For example, a pregnant woman was found to be brain-dead but her vital functions were artificially sustained for nine weeks until her fetus could be delivered, after which the machines were removed and she died a second, conceptually distinct death. This procedure is probably justifiable, but any legislation or policy regarding such cases should be flexible and should require consent.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D033421:Beginning of Human Life; D001926:Brain Death; D002140:California; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide; D040821:Human Characteristics; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019369:Life; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D028723:Personhood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D037841:Pregnant People; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement; D028761:Withholding Treatment