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March 24, 2025

Title: Doctors, Philosophers, and Lawyers Debate Brain Death
Topic: Organ Donation

Discussed by Dr. Heidi Klessig
with Respect for Human Life (www.respectforhumanlife.com/)

There is much disagreement among doctors, philosophers, and lawyers on when the moment of brain death occurs.

Dr. Heidi Klessig was recently asked to be on a panel discussing when death occurs. Today, she discusses some of the content from this panel and why everyone should be informed on this issue. Dr. Klessig is a retired anesthesiologist and pain management specialist who writes and speaks about the ethics of organ harvesting and transplantation.

Click here to read the report by Dr. Heidi Klessig.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Is there a scientific test that determines when brain death occurs?

Has there been a breakdown between clinical and legal standards for the determination of death by neurologic criteria?

The latest brain death guidelines allow death to be declared while parts of the brain are still functioning. What does this mean for the patient and the patient’s family? Dr. Klessig reveals that the new guidelines do NOT require informed consent! Listen as she explains why this is so horrific.

How do many nurses view this issue?

Why should people be informed on this important issue?

Click here to order a copy of one of the many books by Dr. Heidi Klessig and others from Respect for Human Life.

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February 21, 2025

Title: “Brain Death” Lacks Medical, Moral, and Legal Foundations
Topic: Organ Donation

Discussed by Dr. Heidi Klessig
with Respect for Human Life (www.respectforhumanlife.com/)

Part 1 of 3

When is someone dead? Under the Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA), death is defined to occur in one of two ways: an individual who has sustained either irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions or irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem.

Today, Dr. Heidi Klessig explains what this means for people who are organ donors and what everyone should know about the changes to the definition of “death” by the American Academy of Neurology.

Dr. Heidi Klessig, MD is a retired anesthesiologist and pain management specialist who writes and speaks about the ethics of organ harvesting and transplantation.

Click here to read Dr. Heidi Klessig’s article on this very important topic.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

What happened when Dr. Klessig was preparing a brain-dead patient for organ donation? What did the anesthesiologist say about the procedure? Did this comment catch her off-guard, causing her to question the life-saving practice?

Does diagnosing brain death involve high-tech equipment? Dr. Klessig describes the process from start to finish.

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Title: Part 2 of 3 - “Brain Death” Lacks Medical, Moral, and Legal Foundations
Topic: Organ Donation

Discussed by Dr. Heidi Klessig
with Respect for Human Life (www.respectforhumanlife.com/)

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Does the definition for “brain death” need an upgrade? Dr. Klessig discusses the history of the definition, the “dead doner rule”, and the original thoughts on “irreversible comas”.

Dr. Heidi Klessig is very passionate about this serious issue. Why does she call it “euthanasia”?

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Title: Part 3 of 3 - “Brain Death” Lacks Medical, Moral, and Legal Foundations
Topic: Organ Donation

Discussed by Dr. Heidi Klessig
with Respect for Human Life (www.respectforhumanlife.com/)

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Are many people unaware of what organ donation really entails? Click here for more information about removing your name from the organ donation registry and to receive a wallet-sized card to carry informing medical personnel of your desire to not be a donor.

What was the intent behind the original definition of “brain death” by the American Academy of Neurology? Did the new definition allow doctors to skirt the “dead donor rule”? Dr. Klessig calls the new definition a “diagnosis in search of a justification”.

When did the mindset change about the definition of “brain death”?

A moral and humane society should show compassion to its most vulnerable members. Is this why Respect for Human Life fights so hard to spread the truth about organ donation?

Click here to order a copy of one of the many books by Dr. Heidi Klessig and others from Respect for Human Life.

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February 7, 2025

Title: Organ Donors: BEWARE!
Topic: Organ Donation

Discussed by Brad Mattes
with Life Issues Institute (LifeIssues.org)

You may be aware of a Kentucky man waking up as they were about to harvest his organs for donation. It’s good news that Anthony Thomas Hoover II (TJ) is alive, but the circumstances surrounding this event as reported by multiple news sources are horrifying.

Today, President of Life Issues Institute, Brad Mattes, reveals the details of this story. Disclaimer: Use caution when listening to this segment around young children. Issues discussed may be upsetting or hard for little ones to understand.

Click here to learn more about the dangers of a brain death diagnosis.

Click here for the latest from Life Issues Institute

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Is there a CLEAR definition of “brain dead”? Brad explains that the definition can be “subjective” and not be evidenced-based. In other words, the guidance of determining death can be completely “opinion-based”.

Must the definition of when death occurs be re-examined by our elected officials?

If you have second thoughts about being an organ donor, click here

Click here to help support Life Issues Institute.

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December 2, 2024

Title: Don’t Be Fooled about Organ Harvesting
Topic: Organ Donation

Discussed by Dr. Heidi Klessig
with Respect for Human Life (www.respectforhumanlife.com/)

Part 1 of 2

Some would say we are experiencing medically rationalized cannibalism through organ donation/harvesting.

Today, Dr Heidi Klessig sets the record straight on misinformation being spread by the medical community. Dr. Klessig is a retired anesthesiologist and pain management specialist, who now speaks about the dangers of organ donation. She is an author with Respect for Human Life.

Click here to read Dr. Heidi Klessig’s article on this topic.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Is there an ongoing debate as to when death occurs? Dr. Klessig explains why she is so passionate about this serious issue.

Is organ transplantation a big money-making business? Does the money drive many of the decisions? FACT: In 2020, organ harvesting raked in a whopping $48 BILLION.

Do many doctors and nurses need to know all the facts before they declare someone “dead”?

Is there more than one definition of when death occurs? Dr. Klessig discusses the different types of “death”.

On average, how long does an organ remain viable after death?

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Title: Part 2 of 2 - Don’t Be Fooled about Organ Harvesting
Topic: Organ Donation

Discussed by Dr. Heidi Klessig
with Respect for Human Life (www.respectforhumanlife.com/)

Questions/Issues Discussed:

IREVIEW: What is the definition of “death” according to the “experts”?

What is a “Do Not Resuscitate”(DNR) declaration?

Can a patient be breathing and with blood circulating, yet have life sustaining care removed or stopped while medical personnel wait for no heartbeat for 2 to 5 minutes? Dr. Klessig discusses this horrible and inhumane practice.

Are doctors playing god with peoples’ lives?

If you are having second thoughts about being an organ donor, click here for more information on how to unregister.

Click here to order a copy of one of the many books by Dr. Heidi Klessig and others from Respect for Human Life.

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October 31, 2024

Title: Brain Dead Man Recovers. Dances at Sister’s Wedding!
Topic: Organ Donation

Discussed by Dr. Heidi Klessig
with Respect for Human Life (www.respectforhumanlife.com/)

In 2021, a supposedly brain-dead man, Anthony Thomas “TJ” Hoover II, opened his eyes and looked around while being wheeled to the operating room to donate his organs. Hospital staff at Baptist Health hospital in Richmond, Kentucky assured his family that these were just “reflexes.”

Today, Dr. Heidi Klessig shares the rest of this story, plus a few others like it. She also explains the need for Congress to urgently address this issue and make changes. Dr. Klessig is a retired anesthesiologist and pain management specialist, who now speaks about the dangers of organ donation. She is an author with Respect for Human Life.

Click here to read more about TJ’s story from Dr. Heidi Klessig.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Are we told by our government and the MSM that we should “trust the science”? Dr. Klessig reminds us that science is always changing and improving, saying: “It’s quite troubling that the public is only given propaganda, not facts.”

Is there a clear definition of being brain dead? Is the definition of brain dead often subjective and not evidence based?

What is the rest of TJ’s story? After Dr. Klessig shares details of his recovery, she reveals that his case was brought before the US House Committee with the goal of investigating organ procurement organizations.

Are there others who have been declared brain dead but were, in fact, alive? You can click here to read about more.

Do State and Federal governments need to take a serious look at the definition of “brain death”?

If you are having second thoughts about being an organ donor, click here for more information on how to unregister.

Click here to order a copy of one of the many books by Dr. Heidi Klessig and others from Respect for Human Life.

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

October 29, 2024

Title: Organ Donors: BEWARE!
Topic: Organ Donation

Discussed by Brad Mattes
with Life Issues Institute (LifeIssues.org)

You may be aware of a Kentucky man waking up as they were about to harvest his organs for donation. It’s good news that Anthony Thomas Hoover II (TJ) is alive, but the circumstances surrounding this event as reported by multiple news sources are horrifying.

Today, President of Life Issues Institute, Brad Mattes, reveals the details of this story. Disclaimer: Use caution when listening to this segment around young children. Issues discussed may be upsetting or hard for little ones to understand.

Click here to learn more about the dangers of a brain death diagnosis.

Click here for the latest from Life Issues Institute

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Is there a CLEAR definition of “brain dead”? Brad explains that the definition can be “subjective” and not be evidenced-based. In other words, the guidance of determining death can be completely “opinion-based”.

Must the definition of when death occurs be re-examined by our elected officials?

If you have second thoughts about being an organ donor, click here

Click here to help support Life Issues Institute.

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

July 10, 2023

Title: The Ethics of Organ Harvesting and Transplantation
Topic: Organ Donation

Discussed by Dr. Heidi Klessig
with Respect for Human Life (www.respectforhumanlife.com/)

Part 1 of 3

Disclaimer: Please do not construe any statement made during this interview as medical or legal advice. Always consult your physician or attorney for advice on this and other issues.

Are you an organ donor? Is it ethical? Dr. Heidi Klessig is a retired anesthesiologist and pain management specialist. Today, Dr. Klessig discusses what you need to know about organ donation.

Click here to read Heidi’s article in the American Thinker. https://www.americanthinker.com/

Click here to order a copy of the many books by Respect for Human Life authors.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Why is Dr. Klessig so passionate about this topic?

What is a tissue transplant compared to an organ transplant? Dr. Klessig takes us back to high school biology class…

What transplants are ethical and which are not?

Is it important to understand the moral framework of the Ten Commandments, focusing on murder, lying, and theft? Dr. Klessig says: “Following these precepts also fulfills the Golden Rule: treating others as we want to be treated.”

Are there critical details that everyone who signs a donor card has a right to know?

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

Title: Part 2 of 3 - The Ethics of Organ Harvesting and Transplantation
Topic: Organ Donation

Discussed by Dr. Heidi Klessig
with Respect for Human Life (www.respectforhumanlife.com/)

Disclaimer: Please do not construe any statement made during this interview as medical or legal advice. Always consult your physician or attorney for advice on this and other issues.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

What are organ procurement organizations?

Do organ procurement organizations sometimes interfere with autopsies? Dr. Klessig admits that this answer surprised her when she was doing her research.

Must someone be a registered organ and/or tissue donor to donate after their death?

Can a listener simply notify their family of their wishes? Dr. Klessig discusses the actions you must take to remove yourself from the organ donor list. Click here for the downloadable card to keep in your wallet.

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

Title: Part 3 of 3 - The Ethics of Organ Harvesting and Transplantation
Topic: Organ Donation

Discussed by Dr. Heidi Klessig
with Respect for Human Life (www.respectforhumanlife.com/)

Disclaimer: Please do not construe any statement made during this interview as medical or legal advice. Always consult your physician or attorney for advice on this and other issues.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Are there differences in tissue harvesting/transplanting and organ harvesting/transplanting?

What is “living organ donation”? Dr. Klessig calls this the “happy story of transplants” because everyone remains alive after the donation and offers examples.

What are “paired organs”? Are these considered ethical transplants?

Should someone consider traveling to another country if needing an organ transplant?

Are there legal and ethical questions surrounding a diagnosis of “brain dead”?  Dr. Klessig reveals that in 1968, a committee of doctors at Harvard Medical School changed the meaning of death. She also discusses the horrific changes being made to the Uniform Determination of Death Act of 1981.

What is donation after “circulatory death”? Is this banned in many European countries? Click here for more information about the ethical definition of death.

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

June 5, 2023

Title: The Ethics of Organ Harvesting and Transplantation
Topic: Organ Donation

Discussed by Dr. Heidi Klessig
with Respect for Human Life (www.respectforhumanlife.com/)

Part 1 of 3

Disclaimer: Please do not construe any statement made during this interview as medical or legal advice. Always consult your physician or attorney for advice on this and other issues.

Are you an organ donor? Is it ethical? Dr. Heidi Klessig is a retired anesthesiologist and pain management specialist. Today, Dr. Klessig discusses what you need to know about organ donation.

Click here to read Heidi’s article in the American Thinker. https://www.americanthinker.com/

Click here to order a copy of the many books by Respect for Human Life authors.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Why is Dr. Klessig so passionate about this topic?

What is a tissue transplant compared to an organ transplant? Dr. Klessig takes us back to high school biology class…

What transplants are ethical and which are not?

Is it important to understand the moral framework of the Ten Commandments, focusing on murder, lying, and theft? Dr. Klessig says: “Following these precepts also fulfills the Golden Rule: treating others as we want to be treated.”

Are there critical details that everyone who signs a donor card has a right to know?

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

Title: Part 2 of 3 - The Ethics of Organ Harvesting and Transplantation
Topic: Organ Donation

Discussed by Dr. Heidi Klessig
with Respect for Human Life (www.respectforhumanlife.com/)

Disclaimer: Please do not construe any statement made during this interview as medical or legal advice. Always consult your physician or attorney for advice on this and other issues.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

What are organ procurement organizations?

Do organ procurement organizations sometimes interfere with autopsies? Dr. Klessig admits that this answer surprised her when she was doing her research.

Must someone be a registered organ and/or tissue donor to donate after their death?

Can a listener simply notify their family of their wishes? Dr. Klessig discusses the actions you must take to remove yourself from the organ donor list. Click here for the downloadable card to keep in your wallet.

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

Title: Part 3 of 3 - The Ethics of Organ Harvesting and Transplantation
Topic: Organ Donation

Discussed by Dr. Heidi Klessig
with Respect for Human Life (www.respectforhumanlife.com/)

Disclaimer: Please do not construe any statement made during this interview as medical or legal advice. Always consult your physician or attorney for advice on this and other issues.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Are there differences in tissue harvesting/transplanting and organ harvesting/transplanting?

What is “living organ donation”? Dr. Klessig calls this the “happy story of transplants” because everyone remains alive after the donation and offers examples.

What are “paired organs”? Are these considered ethical transplants?

Should someone consider traveling to another country if needing an organ transplant?

Are there legal and ethical questions surrounding a diagnosis of “brain dead”?  Dr. Klessig reveals that in 1968, a committee of doctors at Harvard Medical School changed the meaning of death. She also discusses the horrific changes being made to the Uniform Determination of Death Act of 1981.

What is donation after “circulatory death”? Is this banned in many European countries? Click here for more information about the ethical definition of death.

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization