|
There are two topics in this section
Rob NHS, medial schools
Ethics
Robs NHS, medical schools & universities of donations
Von Hagens insists his campaign for the 'democratization of anatomy'; the Body Worlds Shows and public autopsies, increase whole body donations to science.
However, the donations he refers to are made by people who donate their body to his private company as they leave the Body Worlds show. In England the effect on the general public of von Hagens' work was highlighted by the Government's Chief Medical Officer, who on May 14 2007, confirmed von Hagens' tactics have resulted UK residents withdrawing from full body donation schemes. In Scotland these exhibitions have been banned following similar concerns.
During the last UK von Hagens Body Worlds show in 2002, there was a significant drop in body donations:
Figures for whole-body donation in England and Wales:
617 bequests in 2001
596 bequests in 2002
670 bequests in 2003
587 bequests in 2004
674 bequests in 2005
The regional picture is also telling; following his last Body Worlds show in 2002, those signing up to donate their bodies to Manchester University fell:
2002 108
2003 100
2004 124
2005 129
2006 163
Writing on the Department of Health website, the Chief Medical Officer cites von Hagens' public anatomical work such as 'Anatomy for Beginners' as a major concern and contributor to denting confidence. "Some intending donors specifically withdrew citing these events as the reason for withdrawing". Since 2003 confidence in body donation schemes has returned, this confidence is at risk.
According to the Royal College of Surgeons, the shortage of bodies donated to medical science is threatening the study of anatomy. In May 2007, the College predicted a shortage of nearly 30 percent in the academic year and estimates that medical schools need at least 1000 bodies every year.
Leaving aside the question of where some of the older specimens came from or the fact that the foundations of developing the techniques may have involved corpses of questionable origin, it is the effect on public opinion that raises the real ethical questions.
The donation of organs or bodies to science is based on a sense of trust in the medical profession and a belief that any tissue donated will be respected or used appropriately. There is evidence that corpse shows undermine the moral medical contract.
Donating your organs to science
The Chief Medical Officer believes that there are large numbers of people who do wish donate their bodies to support the anatomical training of medical students, and medical research but simply do not know how.
The Human Tissue Authority was established in 2006 to regulate the removal, storage, use and disposal of human bodies, organs and tissues for a number of 'Scheduled purposes' such as research, transplantation, and education and training. Bodies donated to medical schools for dissection are kept for three year. Donors can extend this if they wish, but in the UK, unless there is an agreement to extend, bodies have to have a funeral after three years.
Recent Government Policy
In early January 2007, the Government's Organ Donation Taskforce issued a report that said major reforms are needed to boost organ donation and save thousands of lives. Only 20% have registered for organ donation despite 90 percent approving of donation.
The Organ Donation Taskforce, whose report was immediately accepted in full by the government, wants a body set up to promote donation throughout the UK instead of it being a matter for individual hospitals or regions. It said the move, for which the government pledged £11m, would transform organ donation and boost transplants by 1200 a year.
|
|
