Computer implants and death.
Although a patient whose whole brain has ceased to function may have his heart, lungs, and other organs continue to function if they are connected to the appropriate machines, the patient is still dead and the machines can be disconnected. In the future, nanotechnology, or other technology, may allow putting implants in the brainstem that can keep a patient's heart, lungs and other organs functioning, even though the whole natural brain has ceased to function. It would be useful to consider how this technology might affect the criterion of death before it is actually available.
Department of Philosophy, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA. bernard.gert@dartmouth.edu
Bernard
B
Gert
D001933:Brain Stem / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D003643:Death; D006801:Humans; D046208:Microchip Analytical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D036103:Nanotechnology