The Hidden Crisis in Organ Transplantation — Brain Death Diagnosis and Ethical Failures

The concept of "brain death," introduced in 1968 to enable organ harvesting, has never been proven equivalent to actual death — it merely defines an irreversible coma

Documented cases exist of "brain dead" patients who were conscious, including some who mouthed "help me" as their organs were nearly harvested

Global organ shortages have fueled a black market, with an estimated 5% to 20% of transplants involving illegal procurement and added pressure to lower diagnostic standards for "brain death"

Recent federal investigations found serious failures in the U.S. organ donation system: 29.3% of reviewed cases showed troubling signs, and 20.8% of patients had neurologic activity incompatible with procurement — yet transplant coordinators still pushed to proceed

Safer, ethical alternatives exist — such as natural therapies like DMSO that have revived "brain dead" patients and restored organ function, removing the need for transplant