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KMID : 0386819930030010048
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Journal of the Institute of Health Environmental Sciences
1993 Volume.3 No. 1 p.48 ~ p.66
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A Study on "BRAIN DEATH" in Korea
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Abstract
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Since the invention of the effective artificial respirator in late 1950s, the medical development in resusciation and life maintenance changed the features of death entirely.
The concept of "Brain Death" came from the findings of patients who lost the functions of brain while their cardiopulmonary functions are maintained spontaneousely or artificially.
The concept became very crucial in the light of tranplantations and limits of medicine But the concept of "Brain Death", which originated from the Havard Plan that stipulates 1) unreceptivity and unresponsivity 2) no spontaneous muscular
movements
or
spontaneous breathing 3) no reflexes, is not in universal agreement on criteria and definition.
The concept includes such competitive concepts as whole brain, brain stem, and higher brain definition. This fact disturbs the understanding of the concept.
The establishment of definition of the concept is very important because criteria are decided by the definition, which is in controversy up to now. The concept of brain death is supported by its irreversibility of life and utility but is conflict
with
the ethics.
The death can not only be a problem of the medicine and the biology but also that of culture, ethics, law, and philosophy. Accordingly it can not be determined by medicine alone.
The government is promoting legislation on "Brain Death", but the need for it is not urgent. Not every country that accepted the concept has the law on it.
Furthermore, the statistics and research reports on the brain death are almost lacking in Korea. Researches and investigation on the matter are badly required to establish the consensus of this society.
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