Self-mutilation deprived the king of a fighting man.
2.
It was regarded as self-murder and a felony against the king with confiscation of family goods etc.
3.
Though the aiding and abetting and procurement of suicide remains a criminal offence under the Suicide Act 1961.
4.
Reaffirmed in St George's Healthcare National Health Service Trust v S and R v Collins and Others, Ex parte S, The Times L R 8 May, 1998 “Right to refuse treatment to save foetus”.
5.
The Human Tissue Act 1961 provides that a person's expressed wishes against “contracting in” must be honoured.
6.
With the exception of hair etc.
7.
Freshly cut hair arguably may be “property” even before any further process is applied. Human hair has always been used for the making of wigs and toupees; cutting growing hair does not affect physical health, the process is non-invasive and physically painless - contrast the taking of blood which sustains life itself. However, it is doubtful that UK courts would enforce a contract which requires a person to cut a stated length of growing hair in return for fees.
8.
He may however sell his body's services for lawful purposes which may acquire the status of “intellectual property”.
9.
The Human Organ Transplants Act 1989. See also the provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 when dealing with the disposal of garnets and other stored materials.
10.
Williams v Williams 1880 20 ChD 659 at 662-3 and Clerk & Lindsell on Torts 17th Edn (1995) para 13-50).
11.
As above.
12.
It seems odd that the nature and extent of the tumour was not investigated following the autopsy.
13.
The woman's next of kin wished to establish whether the brain tumour was benign or malignant.
14.
The action arose in the context of a potential medical negligence claim for premature death resulting from a failure to diagnose and treat the deceased's brain tumour.
15.
The Times Law Report, May 21, 1998“Process turns parts of corpse into property”, RoseCAOgnallLJSullivanJJ.
16.
Under ss 4 and 5 of the Theft Act 1968.
17.
As above.
18.
Or arguably for research, though these are more likely to be undergoing some processing even in the early stages of retention.
19.
(1990) 793 (Cal Sup Ct).
20.
The Canadian Law Commission, having taken account of Moore's case offered its own conclusion.
21.
The patient's views with regard to donation of bodily parts and tissue for transplantation after his/her death could be sought and recorded on file. This might have the desirable result of increasing public awareness and releasing more organs for transplantation.
22.
European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (to animal testing) held between 18–22 May, 1998. A report is due to be published shortly. Address for correspondence: Mr R Anderson, HAM, Maurice Shock Medical Sciences Building, PO Box 138, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN.
