Neocannibalism: An Analytical Medico-Jurisprudential Appraisal of Contemporary Dimensions in Organ Theft and Trafficking
- September 5, 2019
- Posted by: RSIS
- Category: Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VIII, August 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186
Dr. Ifeanyi E. Anigbogu1, Prof. P. E. O. Oguno Ph.D2
1MD (General Medicine). M.I.S.B.T, Ph.D (Surgery), LLB (Hons), BL (Hons), LLM , Ph.D (Law),Specialist Surgeon
Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria
Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Madonna University, Okija, Nigeria
2Dean, Faculty of Law, Anambra State University, Anambra State Nigeria (Now Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University)
Abstract: – When in 195BC Fitus Maccius Plautus wrote “Asinaria”, generally regarded as one of the Great Roman Comedies, and which was renowned for containing the phrase “Homo homini lupus est – man is a wolf to his follow man”, the temptation must have been to relegate the statement to the realms of fiction.
Contemporary events however prove to the contrary. Galloping advancements in science and technology, particularly in the fields of Medicine and Transplantology, have made the statement extremely germane. Scientific innovations have improved the quality and standard of life in developed countries, occasioned an increase in life expectancy and induced active longevity. Sequel to this, the demand for organs and tissues for transplant is on the increase, compelling scientists and mankind generally, to question the rationale in the wasteful disposal of organs and tissues of cardavas and indeed whether or not there should continue to exist legal or moral justification in the non commodification of the human body.
Consequently law has been brought face to face with the bizarre phenomenon of neocannibalism – a situation where human beings organize and orchestrate the consumption (cannibalization) of fellow humans, sanctified by the medical mantra of saving lives. This work is a humble attempt by the author to draw the attention of medico-legal science and international law to the novel anti-human practice, analyze same and proffer solutions.
Key Words: Homicidal cannibalism, Endo and Exo cannibalism, Necrocannibalism, bio-lust, bio-terrorism.
I. INTRODUCTION
Human cannibalism is the act or practice of humans eating the flesh or internal organs of other human beings. A person who practices cannibalism is called a cannibal.
