> Is it possible to hurt a (16F88) PIC by reprogramming such that
> it dies, or at least behaves like it is dead ?

I vaguely recall having a PIC some years ago that wouldn't take a
program temporarily, but it came around before I could discover
why

As for the F88 specifically, I've had them in and out of a PIC
Start Plus and reprogrammed them with ICSP numerous times
in long sessions and never had your problem. If it's a particular
one that's doing it, maybe put it aside and use another. If the
same thing happens again then perhaps you're on to something.
Not nececelery with the F88 but possibly with your programmer,
power supply or board

On rare occassions a PIC's gone into a socket backwards, once
even with 12V on it when I used the wrong PSU, but I've found
that doesn't always do them in. Often they appear to be fine. My
experience is that usually they die unexpectedly during development
for some unknown reason. Could be static, could be a funny glitch
goes through them. It always seems to be something unrepeatable
in my case. Fortunately I'm generally kind to my PICs and they
don't turn up their pins that often

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