From a federal investigation, to a New York Times expose, new questions continue to arise about the validity of “brain death” criteria used to justify vital organ transplants removals and whether organ donors were still alive when their vital organs were taken, violating the sanctity of life.
An important question is being raised:
Is “Brain Death” Truly Death?
To address these concerns, our pro-life program, Carolina Pro-Life Action Network, invited Dr. Paul Byrne, M.D., a neonatologist and board-certified pedestrian, who has been investigating the fallacy of “brain death” and organ transplants for over 50 years, to share his clinical and research findings.
After watching, to learn more please review the resources below, including the presentation slides.
Videos by Photo ND Video
Our thanks to Saint Thomas Aquinas Church for providing space for this presentation.
(See disclaimer note at bottom)
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Bioethics talks like this do incur expenses. If you found Dr. Byrne’s talk beneficial, would you consider making a $50, $100 or $250 (or more) tax-deductable gift so we can sponsor more events like this?
Summary
Medical Issues with “Brain Death” Criteria
- It allows the removal of organs from living patients, causing their death
- “Brain death” lacks supportive scientific studies or diagnostic tests
- The commonly used apnea test to determine “brain death” is harmful to the patient
- “Brain death” denies badly injured patients the extra and vital care they need to heal in order to free up ICU beds for more worthy patients
- Patients or prospective organ donors are not given information about the risks of organ donation and removal of vital organs
Legal Issues
- The Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA) as it now is in every state is problematic.
- The Anatomical Gift Act presumes people want to donate their organs unless specifically written otherwise.
- Only the state of New Jersey has a religious exemption against “brain death”
How to Protect Oneself
- Remove oneself from the organ donation registry on one’s driver’s license (if one previously agreed) and sign an organ donation refusal document. (see link below)
- Have a Healthcare Power of Attorney that includes 1) you want to be treated to protect and preserve your life 2) you do not want to be an organ donor 3) if unconscious do not do an apnea test
- Ask your state representatives to replace the Uniform Determination of Death Act with this model statute: “No one shall be declared dead unless respiratory, circulatory, and nervous (entire brain) systems have been destroyed. Such destruction shall be determined in accord with universally accepted standards.”
- Learn more by signing up for HALO and Respect for Human Life email updates
Resources
Organizations
- Life Guardian Foundation (Dr. Paul Byrne’s organization)
- Truth About Organ Donation (Dr. Paul Byrne’s organization)
- Respect for Human Life (Dr. Heidi Klessig’s organization)
- Healthcare Advocacy and Leadership Organization (HALO) (Medical proxy)
- American Life League
- John Paul II Academy for Human Life and The Family (Brain Death Conference Papers)
Booklets & Additional Resources
- Preserve and Protect Life Booklet, Life Guardian Foundation (order)
- End of Life Care: The Ventilator by Paul Byrne, M.D, American Life League (brochure)
- Presentation Slides: Is Brain Death Truly Death? Dr. Paul A. Byrne, Charlotte, NC February 2026 (PPTX)
- Healthcare Advocacy and Leadership Organization (HALO) has several end-of-life and organ donor refusal resources on its Resources webpage, including:
- Informed: A Guide for Critical Medical Decisions (excellent end of life care guidance)Life-Affirming Medical Proxy (LAMP) KitI Refuse To Be An Organ Donor (wallet card)
- Addendum to Medical Power of Attorney (MPA)
Articles
- Video: Declared Brain Dead – the story of Zack Dunlap (interview with Dr. Paul Byrne)
- Jahi McMath Videos Highlight Uncertainty of ‘Brain Death’ Diagnoses, National Catholic Register (October 2014)
- Catholics express concern over eroding ‘brain death’ standards, EWTN News (February 2024)
- HHS Investigation Exposes ‘Horrifying’ Ethical Failures in Organ Transplant System, National Catholic Register (July 2025)
- A Push for More Organ Transplants Is Putting Donors at Risk, New York Times (July 2025)
Papers
- Are Organ Transplants Morally Licit? by Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz, Bishop Robert Vasa, Walt F. Weaver, Paul A. Byrne, Richard G. Nilges, and Josef Seifert (first appeared as a Catholic World Report article in March 2001)
- Catholic Teaching on Death and Organ Transplant by Paul A. Byrne, M.D.
- Evolution of the Criteria of “Brain Death”: A Critical Analysis Based on Scientific Realism and Christian Anthropology by Doren Nguyen, OP, M.D., STD
- Catholics United on Brain Death and Organ Donation: A Call to Action; Joseph M. Eble, MD, John A. Di Camillo, PhD, Peter J. Colosi (February 2024)
Books
- Paul A. Byrne: Defender of Life by Christopher Bogosh RN-BC
- The Brain Death Fallacy by Dr. Heidi Klessig, M.D. and Christopher Bogosh RN-BC
- What Organ Donors Are Never Told: The Lack of Informed Consent in Organ Procurement Practices by Christopher Bogosh RN-BC
Disclaimer: The above resources are for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical or legal advice. For specific guidance either contact one of the qualified organizations or individuals above; or another qualified healthcare or legal professional.
About Dr. Paul A. Byrne, M.D.
Dr. Paul A. Byrne is a Board-Certified Neonatologist and Pediatrician and is the founder of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center in St. Louis, MO, one of the first NICU’s in the Midwest. He has been the Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Saint Louis University, Creighton University and the University of Toledo College of Medicine.
He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and past-President of the Catholic Medical Association. Dr. Byrne has written several books and articles on brain death and life issues. Most recently he assisted in the famous case of Jahi McMath, a 13-year-old girl who was declared brain dead in 2013 but lived until her natural death in 2018. Dr. Byrne and his late wife Shirley are proud parents of 12 children, grandparents of 36 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.