AfricaBib 
bibliographic database
| Previous page | New search |
The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here
 Periodical article |
 Leiden University catalogue |
 WorldCat |
| Title: | A question of life and death |
| Author: | Le Roux-Kemp, Andra |
| Year: | 2013 |
| Periodical: | The Comparative and International Law Journal of Southern Africa (ISSN 0010-4051) |
| Volume: | 46 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Pages: | 74-89 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic term: | South Africa |
| Subjects: | death medical sciences legislation norms |
| External link: | https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC137906 |
| Abstract: | Science and technology have assumed a pivotal role in shaping all aspects of modern society. They are intertwined with wider socio-political issues, and feature in both civil and criminal courtrooms. The law, however, often lags behind in adequately considering scientific and technological advances, social context, and the consequences of technological advances in a multicultural society. This article focuses on the moment of death, defined in South Africa's National Health Act 61 of 2003 as brain death. This profound shift in South African jurisprudence from somatic death to brain death was effected without consultation or discussion with interest groups or the general public. The article considers the development of death criteria, together with contemporary controversies surrounding brain death as the generally accepted death criterion. The pivotal role of social norms in determining the moment of death is discussed with specific reference to Jewish law, Japanese culture, and finally African indigenous traditions. It is argued that while it is important that the concept of death be 'updated' and redefined as science and technology provide for new possibilities, and social norms and belief systems change over time, it is only with due regard to societal norms and values that the law can truly give effect to the role of science and technology in shaping all aspects of modern society - including the medical and legal definitions of death. Notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract] |
