The laundry foetus; disposal of human remains, the Anatomy Act 1984 and the Human Tissue Act 2004.
Careless attention to the disposal of human remains resulted in this case of the foetus in the laundry; an error of omission. Deliberate illegal abstraction of human remains such as was practiced by Professor van Velzen; an error of commission. These and other matters including the public dissection by Professor Gunther von Hagens are discussed with the relevant UK laws and regulations. The intriguing question raised in the BMJ from a recent amputee: "Can I cremate my own leg?" is mentioned. The answer was no.
Bruce-Chwatt
Robert
R
1, York Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6DR, United Kingdom. robert@bruce-chwatt.fsnet.co.uk
D001344:Autopsy / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D002048:Burial / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D055700:Cremation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005333:Fetus; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006113:United Kingdom
D017744:Medical Waste Disposal