Some people would argue that a person in still a person even after they have died. Someone who is brain dead is still a person. Even if a person can’t speak, move, breathe, etc. on their own, they are still a human being. Of course, when they are hooked up to the machines, they are dependent on it for living. Some families don’t want to have to live with a family member who is brain dead, so they pull the plugs. For other families, they can’t stand the idea of losing a loved one, so they keep them hooked up for as long as possible, in hope that something good will happen. I believe a person is still a person even if they are dependent on a machine. Some people will argue otherwise, it is just a matter of opinion.