[mlc9852]

But on occasion they have been wrong. And it's usually medical professionals, not scientists, who make the determination.

[CarolinaGuitarman]

"But on occasion they have been wrong. And it's usually medical professionals, not scientists, who make the determination."

That doesn't change the qualitative difference between being alive and being dead. And where do you think medical professionals get their definitions from? Medical scientists.

[b_sharp]

"But on occasion they have been wrong.

Because some systems fail before others and it may be difficult to determine if the failure is irreversible. In a corpse where all systems have shut down and no energy flow can be detected, we can be sure the body is dead.

"And it's usually medical professionals, not scientists, who make the determination.

Their knowledge comes from scientists.