Giving ourselves: the ethics of anatomical donation.
In some European countries, such as Italy, medical education is threatened by a dearth of anatomical specimens. Such a shortage could spread to other nations, including the United States. This article addresses two ethical questions in body donation. Why might people choose to donate their bodies to education and science? What sorts of ethical appeals might anatomists, physicians, and other health professionals make to patients and family members for anatomical donation? Two models of giving, egoistic and liberal, merit close examination.
Gunderman
Richard B
RB
Department of Radiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 702 North Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana. rbgunder@iupui.edu
D000533:Altruism; D000715:Anatomy / Q000193:education* / Q000941:ethics; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection / Q000941:ethics; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods*; D004989:Ethics; D037921:Gift Giving / Q000941:ethics; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011639:Public Opinion; D013663:Teaching / Q000941:ethics*; D014481:United States