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Handbook of WMA Policies
World Medical Association D-1968-01-2006
WMA DECLARATION OF SYDNEY
ON
THE DETERMINATION OF DEATH AND THE RECOVERY OF
ORGANS
Adopted by the 22nd
World Medical Assembly, Sydney, Australia, August 1968
and amended by the 35th
World Medical Assembly, Venice, Italy, October 1983
and the 57th
WMA General Assembly, Pilanesberg, South Africa, October 2006
Determination of death can be made on the basis of the irreversible cessation of all func-
tions of the entire brain, including the brain stem, or the irreversible cessation of circula-
tory and respiratory functions. This determination will be based on clinical judgment ac-
cording to accepted criteria supplemented, if necessary, by standard diagnostic proce-dures
and made by a physician.
Even without intervention, cell, organ and tissue activity in the body may continue tempo-
rarily after a determination of death. Cessation of all life at the cellular level is not a nec-
essary criterion for determination of death.
The use of deceased donor organs for transplantation has made it important for physicians
to be able to determine when mechanically-supported patients have died.
After death has occurred, it may be possible to maintain circulation to the organs and tis-
sues of the body mechanically. This may be done to preserve organs and tissues for trans-
plantation.
Prior to post-mortem transplantation, the determination that death has occurred shall be
made by a physician who is in no way immediately involved in the transplantation proce-
dure.
Following determination of death, all treatment and resuscitation attempts may be ceased
and donor organs may be recovered, provided that prevailing requirements of consent and
other relevant ethical and legal requirements have been fulfilled.