When we think about revival, images of limping, decaying corpses typically come to mind. This makes sense given that the decomposition of an organism begins just minutes after death. Although researchers at Yale are not interested in the creation of zombies, they are interested in keeping organs viable for as long as possible. The speed of decomposition is one of the factors that makes obtaining organs for transplants difficult. However, these researchers may be able to combat this problem in some time by using new technology that can restore cell and organ function after death (Andrijevic, 2022).
The scientists were building off of a previous experiment that they conducted in 2019. During that study, disembodied pig brains were connected to a device called BrainEx, which pumped a warm preservative solution (blood substitute) into the brain’s veins and arteries four hours after the pig died. The pumped solution allowed the brain to receive the nutrients and oxygen it needs to function. Researchers found that six hours after using BrainEx, brain and nerve cells were engaging in some normal functions, such as sugar consumption (Vrselja, 2019).
In 2022, those same scientists adapted BrainEx to create OrganEx, which is another perfusion (pumping) system. The task of adapting the BrainEx solution, which was used on a single organ, into a new solution that could be used on all organs inside the body was a big challenge for the scientists. The body has a stronger blood clotting and inflammatory response than the brain does, so the new solution had to compensate for these differences. Once determined adequate, OrganEx was applied to the pig's body one hour after death (Andrijevic, 2022).
Six hours after OrganEx was applied, some organs were able to regain some function such as heart contractions and protein synthesis. Sugar was consumed by the brain, heart, and kidneys, and surprisingly, circulation was restored throughout the body; this is notable because blood vessels usually collapse after death. There was also involuntary movement of the pig's head, neck, and torso. These results show that OrganEx not only prevents decomposition, but can also recover decaying cells and tissues (Andrijevic, 2022).
Although neither experiment observed enough brain activity to suggest consciousness, the results are very promising. If OrganEx proves to be successful, it would allow organs to become viable again after death and to remain viable for longer. This long-lasting viability would drastically increase the number of transplantable organs. OrganEx may also develop into a tool to recover organs that suffer damage after a heart attack, stroke, or other medical emergencies.
Thus, OrganEx has the potential to transform medicine. However, there are serious ethical concerns that must be considered. Before the 1960s, medical professionals would declare a person dead using cardiopulmonary standards, which included checking for a pulse and breathing. These standards were completely acceptable at the time, as there was no way to resume those bodily functions. However, with technological advancements, such as the ventilator, the cardiopulmonary standard began to fall short (Sarbey, 2016).
In 1978, the President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research issued a report recommending death to be declared if a person's entire brain was dead. After hearing testimony from medical professionals, philosophers, and religious leaders, the commission developed and recommended the Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA). This act made cardiopulmonary failure and total brain death the standards of death, and all 50 states adopted it in some form (Sarbey, 2016).
The commission began searching for a uniform definition of death because there were legal battles in several fields centering death. Declaring death is essential for receiving life insurance, carrying out wills, and donating organs (Sarbey, 2016).
OrganEx and BrainEx are still in early development, but if it is possible for the heart, lungs, and brain to be revived, can that person still be declared dead? Will a new definition of death have to be created? As technology advances, so must our understanding of death. These are the types of questions we all must consider as this research continues.
References
Andrijevic, D., Vrselja, Z., Lysyy, T. et al. Cellular recovery after prolonged warm ischaemia of the whole body. Nature 608, 405–412 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05016-1
Vrselja, Z., Daniele, S.G., Silbereis, J. et al. Restoration of brain circulation and cellular functions hours post-mortem. Nature 568, 336–343 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1099-1
Sarbey B. Definitions of death: brain death and what matters in a person. J Law Biosci. 2016 Nov 20;3(3):743-752. doi: 10.1093/jlb/lsw054. PMID: 28852554; PMCID: PMC5570697.