Legal Definitions - cannibalism

Cannibalism refers to the act of consuming the body matter of another human being. This can involve eating flesh, organs, or other bodily substances, regardless of whether the consumption was consensual or not.

In the United States, there are no specific laws that directly prohibit cannibalism itself. However, the actions typically involved in obtaining and consuming human remains are illegal under existing laws. For instance, killing another person to consume their body is unequivocally murder. Even if a person consents to being eaten after their death, or takes their own life with such an agreement, the individual who consumes the body may still face serious criminal or civil charges related to the abuse, desecration, or unlawful handling of a human corpse. These related laws vary by state and jurisdiction.

• Scenario 1: Intentional Killing for Consumption
  A person, driven by a disturbing fascination, abducts and kills a stranger. After the murder, the perpetrator dismembers the body and consumes parts of it.

  Explanation: While there's no direct "cannibalism" charge, the primary crime here is murder. Additionally, the act of dismembering and consuming the body would likely lead to charges such as abuse of a corpse or desecration of human remains, making the entire act severely illegal.

• Scenario 2: Post-Mortem Consumption in a Cult Setting
  A small, isolated group practices a ritual where, upon the natural death of one of its members, the remaining members consume a small portion of the deceased's heart as a spiritual act. The deceased member had given prior consent to this practice.

  Explanation: In this case, no murder occurred, as the person died of natural causes. However, even with prior consent, the act of consuming human remains would almost certainly violate laws against the desecration or improper handling of a human corpse. These laws exist to protect public health, ensure respectful treatment of the deceased, and prevent unauthorized interference with human remains.

• Scenario 3: Extreme Survival Situation with Pre-Existing Deceased
  A team of mountaineers is stranded in an remote, impassable region after an avalanche. Their food supplies are exhausted, and one team member dies from injuries sustained in the disaster. Facing imminent starvation, the surviving members make the agonizing decision to consume parts of the deceased's body to stay alive until rescue.

  Explanation: This scenario highlights the complex legal landscape. While the act was driven by extreme necessity and did not involve murder (as the person was already deceased), the survivors could still potentially face charges related to the desecration or improper disposal of a human corpse. Courts would likely consider the extreme circumstances, but the act itself still falls under the definition of consuming human body matter and would trigger laws designed to protect the integrity of human remains.