Ethical Issues in the Use of Willed Bodies in Anatomical Education

Abstract

The use of willed bodies in the anatomical education of health care professionals has been shown to be a valuable and foundational component to their education. While the beneficial use of willed bodies in education has been studied in numerous settings, the ethical treatment of the donated bodies has not been as thoroughly examined. This topic was addressed at the recent International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA) meeting by members of a subcommittee of the federation, the Federative International Committee for Ethics and Medical Humanities (FICEM). This committee will issue guidelines on the proper ethical use of willed bodies in the near future and plans to act as the central site for information on ethics in anatomy. Specific issues regarding the ethical procurement and treatment of willed bodies include 1) providing proper respect and dignity to the donors both before and after donation, 2) obtaining complete informed consent from the donors, 3) the use and distribution of images obtained from the willed bodies, 4) the distribution of donated bodies to distant sites from their original community, 5) the distribution of separate parts of willed bodies to different institutions and 6) the ability to financially profit from the willed body donors. Each of these issues will be addressed from an understanding of the ethical value of human tissue. This will ensure that those individuals who have altruistically donated their bodies will be cared for properly and ethically.

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