A British study will determine whether there is life after death * Scientists will try to test whether the soul can separate from the body in a condition known as 'clinical death'. In the coming year, about 100 people will be tested who will testify that they have had an out-of-body experience
In a historic experiment that will be conducted in Britain, it will be determined once and for all: whether the soul can leave the body, in a state of borderline death. British scientists specializing in the supernatural have announced that they intend to conduct an experiment that will answer the question.
The research will include interviews with people who survived a heart attack, during which it will be checked whether they had an out-of-body experience on the operating table. "During the year we hope to reach 100 people who have 'left' their bodies," said Peter Fenwick, a neuropsychiatrist, at the annual meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science.
The researchers will ask 25 hospitals to place pictures and special objects in cardiac care units. All patients who claim to have had an after-death experience will be asked if they noticed the special objects. In most testimonies about after-death experiences, an experience of floating near the ceiling is described, while watching the resuscitation attempts carried out on the dead body. Fenwick claims that "if the patients notice objects, while the brain is not functioning, then there is a possibility that the soul is separated from the brain".
Fenwick, who specializes in after-death experiences, claims that to date, many testimonies about out-of-body experiences have been received, but few solid facts. Fenwick admits that if people don't pay attention to the objects, it will "kill the theory".
For information on the BBC website
- More on the subject on the science website
- The Benign Universe - Carl Sagan
- It's not a ghost - it's an undertone
