For something to be necessary for a living human being to exist, its absence means that a human being does not exist. If a human being looses some brain function, they would continue to be alive under the brain death function. Similarly if a person had a loss of total brain function, but this is reversible one would not consider them dead. Hence, when one means brain function is necessary for the existence of a living human being, they must mean that the possession of some brain function, or the potential for brain function is necessary. The problem is a fetus does not lack either of these.

I took it that when David said ECG he meant EEG, this is because EEG fits the context better. He is talking about brain waves and particularly brain activity at 20 weeks. Not heart beat (which begins much earlier). I used the abbreviation EEG because that is how I have commonly seen it abbreviated in my readings on the issue.

I agree also with your point about an EEG. One other line of criticism I did not mention ( for space issues) is the fact that according to the Harvard criteria of Brain death their must be total cessation of brain function. This means the presence of any brain function in the brain to conclusion that the human organism is still a living human being. There is also the problem that in the UK, brain death is measured by brain stem death and so all that is required is brain stem function for the human organism to be declared alive.

I won’t comment on Farrer’s personal motivations. But I do get your point, I get frustrated how certain people seem to think that because they are a policy analysist (or more commonly a journalist) they suddenly become an expert in ethics or theology generally and show nothing but arrogant contempt for views they disagree with on the basis of this alleged expertise.

Is it because “EEG” sounds more sophisticated than “heartbeat” and because electroencephalography is hard to spell?

In that case, which particular wave activities of a fetal EEG indicate “personhood” or “potential tax-payer”?
It isn’t just “on” or “off” as suggested by Farrar!
If the wave signals are ‘non-standard’ then is the tissue mass still a “person”?

As an observation, why is it that working as a “policy analyst” for a political party makes one an instant expert on everything including prenatal neurology.

e-mail me off line and I will You arrange a time for you to drop the suit off at Lex’s coffee. in the Union building. I have some friends who will gladly pick it up for me.

PS. Pilate probably wore a Toga suits did not exist in the first century.

This weekend we may need to borrow your suit. We’re filming a Passion Play, and Pilate needs to wear a suit.

I’m sure you won’t mind, but let us know if you have any objections.

Regards,
Buddha

I haven’t yet received $20 OR a postage-paid package. What are you playing at, eh?

Regards,
Buddha