Is brain death “dead” enough?

A recent case has raised the question of whether a determination of brain death is sufficient to justify the removal of life sustaining procedures such as a ventilator.

Here is a summary of this situation based on Del Quentin Wilber, D.C. Hospital Sues to Remove Boy, 12, From Life Support, Wash. Post, Nov. 6, 2008 and AP, Brain-dead NYC boy at center of care controversy dies, USAToday.com, Nov. 16, 2008:

• Motl Brody (Brooklyn, NY), 12 years old, was diagnosed with a severe type of brain cancer.
• Doctors pronounced Motl brain dead on November 4, 2008.
• Motl’s parents, Orthodox Jews, did not want life support removed because their religion does not equate cessation of brain function as death.  Instead, they believe that as long as Motl’s circulatory and respiratory systems are working, albeit with machines, Motl is still alive.
• The hospital, Children’s National Medical Center (Washington, DC), filed a court action to remove life support explaining that “scarce resources are being used for the preservation of a deceased body.”
• Motl died on Saturday, November 15, 2008.
• The hospital is not releasing any details of Motl’s death.
• The hospital dismissed its court action as moot which means that there is no resolution to this issue should it arise again.