Life and Death from a Neurological Viewpoint

Aside from politics, I cannot think of any subject more volatile to discuss than the assigned topic, the genesis of life. Each person holds his or her own personal view on this, and I am in no way claim my belief as fact, this is simply how I have come to understand the conception of life.  I hold the neurological viewpoint of when life begins, which dictates that life begins at approximately 24 to 27 weeks into the gestation period, as this is the time the fetus produces a distinct EEG brain wave pattern. I came to choose the neurological viewpoint by first rephrasing the original question and establishing when I believe life ends.  My personal conviction is that once a person’s brain is no longer functional the person they have been throughout his or her life is essentially gone, or dead, though the body may still produce a heartbeat with the aid of technology. I do not believe it wise or beneficial to use technology to force a body to function when the brain is no longer able, so it is only logical that this principle would direct my assessment of the origin of life as well.