UK medical schools are in crisis with numbers of people offering to donate their bodies to medical science at an all-time low.
Why is this? Do we worry about what happens to our bodies after we've donated them? Or is it that we just don't know how to go about donating? (For more info, visit this webpage: http://www.channel4.com/more4/event/G/gunther/index.html).
I carry a donor card and would happily donate my body to science after I'm dead. How do you feel about donating your body? Share your views.
I signed up to donate my body to medical research a few years ago.Made me feel quite selfless and proud when i signed the forms.Unlike Penny wise i'm not planning a comeback.
Again, redirect to fat debate. Why should we all give our bodies to an institution that seems to wish to care for only some of us?
Is their a humane equivalent? Yes there were Humane Research Donor cards, but dont expect them to be used in anyway. But in fairness is their anyway that their parts or the research from it wouldnt then go through animals, and in fact through the same science many disagree with.
Then we have the religious parties, some of which just wont be able to donate their parts.
We also have to make sure no mad Dutchman is allowed to use our parts to make intersting yet biological art.
And finally maybe a product of how we see the dead, personally speaking I have no issue with my remains being used, but as weve seen, many dont agree with this. We live in a very confused society, one that thinks its sensible to give 12 year sentances to those that dig up dead people, yet only half that to those that abuse the living. Yes I see the problem.
I have no issue with any part of my body being used, I would like more say in how it would be used and for what purpose, in much the same way as Malkie does with his taxes.
I have donated my body to medical science sounds like a good idea!!
P.S I hear the body can maintain an erection for more then 12 hours after death so you may want to live me to rest before you send me down to the university.
Im not interested in donating my body for medical research.. I want mine to be frozen so I can be revived in the future and maybe even get a cyborg body or something which would be cool.
But plz do keep donating your bodies so they can learn more about the human body and find ways to bring me back after I die.
a relative of mine died at 75 he had suffered from cancer for 22 years and survived against the odds and looked utterly brilliant for his age. he was in fact a 'wonderful specimen' for medical science and had arranged to donate his body. the only problem was that his body did not 'come back' to his widow for three years for her to hold a traditional funeral. it seemed to her like he had just'gone away' and the whole event of his dying did not truly register until the return of his body.. it was very sad for her when she had to come to terms with the real goodbye..i shall never forget how nervous she was having to 'relive' his death.. but the upshot is that he did something wonderful for other people even if it was the expense of his widows emotions, without people like him we would never discover the workings of disease etc. so my point is to say that there are positives and negatives in body donation..the main thing is to remember the good cause it serves and try to stand by that over all other personal feelings.
Originally posted by ohdearieme!: a relative of mine died at 75 he had suffered from cancer for 22 years and survived against the odds and looked utterly brilliant for his age. he was in fact a 'wonderful specimen' for medical science and had arranged to donate his body. the only problem was that his body did not 'come back' to his widow for three years for her to hold a traditional funeral. it seemed to her like he had just'gone away' and the whole event of his dying did not truly register until the return of his body.. it was very sad for her when she had to come to terms with the real goodbye..i shall never forget how nervous she was having to 'relive' his death.. but the upshot is that he did something wonderful for other people even if it was the expense of his widows emotions, without people like him we would never discover the workings of disease etc. so my point is to say that there are positives and negatives in body donation..the main thing is to remember the good cause it serves and try to stand by that over all other personal feelings.
Gosh, that's quite sad.
I agree donation should be opt-out rather than opt-in.
But, I really don't know how I feel about it. My husband would sign up in a shot but I don't think I'd want his body to go to science. I'm sort of less bothered about myself than the thought of loved ones doing it, if you know what I mean. My group of friends are generally very pro-donation and I must admit I feel a little ashamed sometimes that I don't see it as such a black and white choice as they do. I generally keep my feelings to myself so haven't really discussed it, so please don't have a go at me.
I'd be reluctant to donate my body to science as I wouldn't want to be poked and prodded my medical students and I definitely wouldn't want to end up being plastinated in body works! Plus at the gross anatomical level, I reckon enough is known about the body with which to make models for medical students to work on.
But I'll happily donate my body parts for transplants. It should defintely be opt out rather than opt in.
I think with transplants you see the immediate benefits of your donation - ie someone gets new kidneys. However, with medical research your donation might not impact on other people's health for years (if at all).
I'm slightly concerned that you'd let an inexperienced junior near your wedding tackle with a knife without having any previous experience of putting knife to flesh.
Personally I'd prefer them to have had some experience in the degree of pressure required, and the response you get when you break in.
Again, redirect to fat debate. Why should we all give our bodies to an institution that seems to wish to care for only some of us?Agreed, why should I donate my body to further the science of looking after the fit and healthy people who look down their noses at me while I am alive?
I have no issue with any part of my body being used, I would like more say in how it would be used and for what purpose, in much the same way as Malkie does with his taxes.
Also agree. Wouldn`t it be incredibly ironic if, for example, the corneas of a dead fat person who had to pay for thier own medical treatment, were given free to a sports freak who was blinded in an accident while doing something daringly sports like.
******************************** John Smith: So what am I then? Nothing. I`m just a story.
I think with transplants you see the immediate benefits of your donation - ie someone gets new kidneys. However, with medical research your donation might not impact on other people's health for years (if at all).
That does not influence my decision in the slightest. Donating your body to medical research could mean a lot of things. Some of which in my opinion I don't think are worth it; e.g, being poked and prodded by hungover med students.
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I'd prefer them to have had some experience in the degree of pressure required, and the response you get when you break in.
A good enough model would take all such things into account. Most medical students don't really learn anything until they do it on a patient anyway.
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