Opening address : session 2 : bioethical aspects of life sustaining techniques

Abstract

Honourable Minister, Fellow Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen: As Dr Hyzler has just stated, there was a time, not so very long ago, when death was determined clinically by the cessation of spontaneous respiration and heartbeat. Advances in medical technology have since led to improved methods of resuscitation and life-support systems so that today the death of a person can no longer be equated with the loss of these two natural vital functions. Brain function can now be sustained artificially even in the absence of spontaneous respiration and cardiac function. It is also possible to keep respiration and heart beat going even in patients who have suffered massive brain damage.