ニューロエシックスコミュのSchiavo on the Cutting Edge: Functional Brain Imaging and its Impact on Surrogate End-of-Life Decision-Making （Jon B. Eisenberg）

Schiavo on the Cutting Edge: Functional Brain Imaging and its Impact on Surrogate End-of-Life Decision-Making
雑誌 Neuroethics
出版社 Springer Netherlands
ISSN 1874-5490 (Print) 1874-5504 (Online)
号 Volume 1, Number 2 / 2008年7月
カテゴリー Original Paper
DOI 10.1007/s12152-007-9000-6
ページ 75-83
Subject Collection 人文科学、社会科学、および法律
SpringerLink 日付 2008年2月6日
Received: 1 November 2007 Accepted: 3 December 2007 Published online: 6 February 2008
Abstract The article addresses the potential impact of functional brain imaging (functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron-emission tomography) on surrogate end-of-life decision-making in light of varying state-law definitions of consciousness, some of which define awareness behaviorally and others functionally. The article concludes that, in light of admonitions by neuroscientists that functional brain imaging cannot yet replace behavioral evaluation to determine the existence of consciousness, state legislatures, courts and drafters of written advance healthcare directives should consider treating behavior, not function, as the touchstone for end-of-life decision-making.

Keywords Schiavo - Advance directives - fMRI - PET - End-of-life decision-making - Neural correlates of consciousness - Permanent vegetative state - Minimally conscious state - Artificial nutrition and hydration - Functional brain imaging
The author thanks Silvia A. Bunge, Ph.D., for her assistance in understanding functional brain imaging.