here we go again...

[Midwest]

In end of life situations, we use consciousness/brain function along with a patient's ability to survive off machines as a determinant to "pull the plug." I don't see life without consciousness. Human tissue, yes, but not life.

A beginning life has a future and will grow into conciousness at some point. At the end of life when you are pulling the plug, there is little or no possibility of conciousness returning. Infinite possibilities in life for the new life and no possibilities for the ending life. I think that's an important distinction.