5.1 Definition of Death

At what point do we say that death has occurred? Only a few years ago, the answer seemed simple: when heartbeat and breathing stop. But death is a process; the body's organs do not fail simultaneously, and today's medical technology can sustain the functioning of many organs. Machines can function for hearts that do not beat and lungs that do not breathe on their own.

1			Describe the process used by the Greeks and Romans to decide if death has occurred.
2			What were the recommendations for resuscitation during the early 1740s?
3			How did documentation of "live burials" influence thinking about the definition of death?
4			Identify two devices that were invented to deal with the concerns about the occurance of death. Describe these devices, including the year of invention, and explain how each was used.