Squaring the Circle. Brain death and organ transplantation

Abstract

Purpose of review The adoption of brain death played a crucial role in the development of organ transplantation, but the concept has become increasingly controversial. This essay will explore the current state of the controversy and its implications for the field. Recent developments The brain death debate, long limited to the bioethics community, has in recent years burst into the public consciousness following several high-profile cases. This has culminated in the reevaluation of the Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA), which is in the process of being updated. Any change to the UDDA has the potential to significantly impact the availability of organs. Summary The current update to the UDDA introduces an element of uncertainty, one the brain death debate had not previously had.