Evaluate issues in determining death and decisions regarding death. This discussion exercise will al Show more Evaluate issues in determining death and decisions regarding death. This discussion exercise will allow you to explore the complexity of defining what death actually means. As our body and our mind both contribute to our experiencing life there is debate as to when we are actually officially dead if some of our body still functions while most of our brain does not. It is a significant issue to consider as it can influence decisions that are made in times of such horrific circumstances. Instructions: At what point do you consider an individual dead? Think carefully about what you believe constitutes life to help you answer this more completely. On what is your conclusion based? Has this view changed over your lifetime? Why? If you were declared brain dead by a competent group of physicians what would you want done? Would you consider a living will? What is your perspective on Dr. Kevorkian and the assistance he has provided to those who decided that their lives were a mere physical existence too painful to enable them to experience a true mental life? In answering these questions think about how modern technology and the advances made in medicines ability to prolong life under many circumstances has made end-of-life issues more complex. Also consider what lies ahead in terms of assisting people to overcome what were once life-ending circumstances (technology such as cloning stem cell implants etc.). Show less