We are pleased to introduce a new series on medical ethics by Rabbi Eddie Reichman, M.D., Professor of Emergency Medicine and Professor of  Education and Bioethics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.  In this series, Rabbi Dr. Reichman will analyze new and emerging medical technologies and related ethical issues. 

In this installment, Rabbi Dr. Reichman discusses the recent development of the ability to test the brain activity of comatose patients.  A surprising revelation is that many comatose patients show brain activity at almost the same level as healthy individuals, as in the case of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.  Rabbi Dr. Reichman also discusses the Jewish legal issues related to Mr. Sharon’s body lying in state for several days.