U.S. Scientists Propose Using Brain-Dead Patients for Medical Research

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Four prominent U.S. scientists propose a controversial approach to advance medical research by using the bodies of brain-dead individuals for experiments. According to a report published in the journal Science, these researchers from California and New York advocate for utilizing brain-dead patients, referred to as physiologically maintained deceased (PMDs), to test drugs and experimental treatments, including organ transplants from genetically modified pigs, which has seen earlier success in the U.S. and China.

They argue that conducting simultaneous experiments on brain-dead subjects could lead to significant breakthroughs in addressing lethal diseases. While historically, similar studies have raised ethical debates, the discussion now centers on securing consent from the deceased or their families, as stated by Federico de Montalvo Jääskeläinen, former chair of Spain's Bioethics Committee.

He asserts that as long as prior consent is obtained, research using brain-dead bodies could be permissible. However, challenges remain in prioritizing these bodies for organ donation, as highlighted by surgeon Pablo Ramirez, who emphasizes the need for ethical considerations in employing such research methodologies.

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