title: Deserving the last great gift.
abstract: If there is part of us that we equate with our "self," it is surely the brain. What feelings and expectations, then, are stirred if we decide to give this part of ourselves--or the brain of a loved one--to be sliced, labeled, frozen, and shipped to a laboratory somewhere in the world to be used for research? The director of one of the world's largest brain banks discusses the ethical challenges, implied obligations, and standards of behavior that brain banks must meet to earn and retain the trust of those who give the last great gift--one now indispensable for progress against illnesses ranging from Alzheimer's disease to schizophrenia.
authors.forename: Francine M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Benes
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000941:ethics; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002102:Cadaver; D003132:Commerce / Q000941:ethics; D032821:Commodification; D033002:Duty to Recontact / Q000941:ethics; D005190:Family; D036281:Genetic Research / Q000941:ethics; D006805:Human Experimentation / Q000941:ethics*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000941:ethics; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics*; D009488:Neurosciences / Q000941:ethics; D010067:Ownership / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014015:Tissue Banks / Q000941:ethics*; D014019:Tissue Donors; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014481:United States