Final answer:
Death is the permanent cessation of vital functions in a living organism. Legal and medical criteria for determining death are based on brain function or circulation, with brain death being widely accepted in the US. Euthanasia raises ethical dilemmas regarding the right to die, physician involvement, and potential abuse.
Step-by-step explanation:
Death is the permanent cessation of all vital functions in a living organism. It is typically characterized by the absence of heartbeat, breathing, brain activity, and other signs of life.
- Legal and Medical Criteria for Determining Death
The legal and medical criteria used to determine death vary across jurisdictions, but commonly include the irreversible loss of brain function or the complete cessation of circulation. In the United States, brain death is widely accepted as a legal definition of death. This is determined based on specific diagnostic tests performed by medical professionals.
- Ethical Dilemmas Surrounding Euthanasia
Euthanasia, the deliberate ending of a person's life to relieve suffering, is a highly debated topic with ethical implications. Some ethical dilemmas surrounding euthanasia include questions about the right to die, the role of physicians in facilitating death, and the potential for abuse or coercion. It involves a balance between the patient's autonomy and the duty of medical professionals to preserve life.