Summaries / Resúmenes - Studia Moralia

294 NICANOR AUSTRIACOphysicians, Stuart Youngner, a professor at Case WesternUniversity’s School of Medicine (U.S.A.), and Robert Arnold, aprofessor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine(U.S.A.) conclude that “Shewmon effectively argues that manyof the body’s most important integrative functions are not carriedout by the brain at all, and continue once the brain hasceased to function. He supports his argument with a plethora ofclinical evidence and leaves Bernat and his colleagues [proponentsof TBD] in the untenable position of saying, “Oh, but wedidn’t mean or care about those functions.” 48 Dr. Amir Halevy ofthe Baylor College of Medicine (U.S.A.) in commenting onShewmon’s position concludes that it is “compelling; many ofthe integrative functions of the organism as a whole are notbrain mediated. […] Additionally, the strongest argument thatsomatically integrative functioning continues despite satisfyingthe whole brain criterion of death, and thus independent ofbrain base mediation, is the persistent ventilator-supported “survival”of some brain dead bodies.” 49 Andrew Lustig of theDepartment of Religious Studies at Rice University (U.S.A.)writes: “Shewmon adduces powerful empirical evidence thatmost brain functions usually mentioned as integrative do not, infact, confer somatic unity but instead sustain a unity “alreadypresupposed.” 50 Finally, Michael Potts, a philosopher specializingin end-of-life issues, concludes: “Shewmon’s [argument]remains successful in showing that the standard paradigm usedto justify whole brain death is no longer viable. Requiescat inpace.” 5148Stuart J. YOUNGNER and Robert M. ARNOLD, “Philosophical DebatesAbout the Definition of Death: Who Cares?” Journal of Medicine andPhilosophy 26 (2001); 527-537, p. 530.49Amir HALEVY, “Beyond Brain Death?” Journal of Medicine andPhilosophy 26 (2001): 493-501, p. 495.50B. Andrew LUSTIG, “Theoretical and Clinical Concerns About BrainDeath: The Debate Continues,” Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 26 (2001):447-455, p. 449.51POTTS, “A Requiem,” p. 490.