Virtual Post-mortem May Be Used As Alternative

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- Physical post-mortems of people who die from illness or accident may be replaced by the virtual method using three dimensional technology (3D).
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said he would propose the method to the Malaysian government for consideration because it would resolve the issue of post-mortem in the death of a Muslim.
He said the 3D technology, which could be used as an alternative to the physical post-mortem, was developed by Silicon Graphics owner and president Bob Bishop, who is a member of the International Advisory Panel of the Multimedia Super Corridor.
Dr Jamaludin, who was here to attend the Biotechnology Round Table Meeting 2005 chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Monday, said Bishop had agreed to hold a demonstration of his method in Kuala Lumpur soon.
However, he said, the matter needed to be discussed at length with the authorities concerned such as the police, Attorney-General's Chambers, Health Ministry and Islamic religious departments to seek a consensus.
"It is up to the government agencies concerned to allow it to be considered as an alternative to the physical post-mortem," he said.
Normally Muslims did not want a post-mortem conducted on their kin, especially if they had died of illness, he said.
He added many developed countries were already using the technology and it had been proven effective.