Question

Explain the difference between "functional death" and " brain death". How do these terms affect the decision to discontinue life support treatment

Answer 1

Functional death is that the person have a functional brain stem (the lower part of the brain connecting the brain and the spinal cord) and so have the capability of unaided breathing,have chances of recovery and have some form of consciousness.

Brain death is that the person does not have a functional brain stem, they cannot gain consciousness and can survive only with the aid of a life support system such as ventilator. They do not have any chances of recovery and are declared dead.

If the person is brain dead,even though other organs are functional,the person is declared dead as the person can maintain the functions of the body only with the aid of the life support system and in the case of functional death if the patient is able to regain the functions of the organs and can support life without the aid of the life support system,the patient is removed from ventilator.