In 1968, a committee at Harvard University sparked an intense bioethical debate when it redefined medical standards of death to allow for vital organs to be taken from brain-dead patients. Halakhic authorities have weighed in on both sides of the issue, and it remains one of the most emotionally charged topics in contemporary halakhic discourse. Through a close reading of the central halakhic texts, we will clarify the issues and positions involved in this debate, and discuss the role that science and ethics play in the halakhic process.
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