BTirish -

From this other thread, you stated:

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Even if your brain was not exhibiting actual higher functions, the matter of your brain and the rest of your body obviously still had to be capable of it (absolutely speaking) in order for the doctors to revive you.

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And...

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If there is any natural means by which someone can be revived from whatever deficient state they're in, then they are not dead. If there is no possible natural means whatsoever (in reality, not just according to what we know) to revive someone, then that person is dead.

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Intersting. It seems like you are saying a person's brain has to be capable of functioning in order to be revived, and therefore "alive". I agree (almost). Which is why I don't think a zygote without a brain can be a person.