Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, "Life Support"

"Life Support." Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Season 3, episode 13 (28 Jan. 1995).[1]

Includes question of whether or not to transplant whole brain of a dying humanoid: Would the humanoid lose all humanity with a fully aritificial (positronic) brain? Short answer program gives: no, let him die. Cited, annotated, and evaluated "3rd Season Guide: DS9," 106. Discussed, giving crucial quotations on ethical issue, by Victor Grech in Feature 101, "Brain and Dualism in Star Trek," SFRA Review #304 (Spring 2013): p. 20.[2]

See also Victor Grech, "Doctor by Doctor: Dr. Bashir in Deep Space 9," Feature 101, SFRA Review #318 (Fall 2016).[3]

The procedure initially works, “you kept him alive against incredible odds. No matter what happens, you should always be proud of that” but the brain damage proves more extensive than originally thought. “It’s the other half of his brain, isn’t it? But you can still help him can’t you? You can replace the other half of his brain with a positronic matrix.” But at this point, Bashir is adamant.

"I’m sorry, [...], but this is where it ends. [...] I won’t remove whatever last shred of humanity Bareil has left. [...] if I remove the rest of his brain and replace it with a machine, he may look like Bareil, he may even talk like Bareil, but he won’t be Bareil. The spark of life will be gone. He’ll be dead. And I’ll be the one who killed him [...] he’ll die like a man, not a machine. (p. 13; ellipses in Grech's article)

RDE, Initial; expanded, 7Jul21, 4Sep21