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- Professor Stephen Davis invited to Vatican
Professor Stephen Davis invited to Vatican
By Natasha Tocher
February 1, 2007
By Natasha Tocher
February 1, 2007
Professor Stephen Davis attended the Pontifical Academy of Sciences at the Vatican, for a select meeting that
considered "The Signs of Death" at the request of the Pope.
Prof Davis was one of 28 international experts and was the only representative from Australia. The gathering included neurologists, neurocritical care specialists, other expert physicians, ethicists, theologians and cardinals.
The two-day meeting aimed to clarify the concept of brain death in the intensive care era. It discussed the
criteria, diagnosis and timing of death, and also the persistent vegetative and minimally conscious state.
Prof Davis presented a paper on the minimally conscious state and the prospects for late neural repair.
"For me, this was a fascinating and unique experience," Prof Davis said.
The medical experts were in consensus that the criteria for brain death were valid. They emphasised there had never
been a recovery of any patient who had been declared brain dead. The discussions were reported to the Pope and the proceedings will be published.