These current criteria are subject to criticism. Animalists mightresist the criteria since the vital processes of human beings whoseentire brains have ceased irreversibly to function can be sustainedartificially using cardiopulmonary assistance. Mindists andpersonists might also resist the criteria, on the grounds that mindsand all psychological features can be irretrievably destroyed in humanbeings whose brain stems are intact. For example, cerebral death canleave its victim with an intact brain stem, yet mindless and devoid ofself-awareness.