New guidance on brain death could ease debate over when life ends

This clarity may help identify when the brain has stopped working, completely and irrevocably

patient on life support

As part of the World Brain Death Project, an international group of doctors has written guidelines that help identify whether a person’s brain no longer functions, completely and irreversibly. That information can be used to determine when to take a patient off life support.

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When your brain stops working — completely and irreversibly — you’re dead.