Donating your body to science can be an incredible gift, but it’s important to understand a few things first.
TL;DR – Straight to the Point
- Whole body donation supports medical education and research.
- Respect and gratitude ceremonies honor donors.
- Programs vary widely in transparency and oversight.
- Few federal rules exist—state laws differ.
- Document your wishes in your Will or advance directive.
5 Things to Know Before Donating Your Body to Science
Many of us are organ donors. We checked the little box on our driver’s license application and know that our eyes, liver, or heart could save someone’s life.
But there’s another option that can be just as beneficial, especially if you have particular conditions or are a member of a medically overlooked demographic: donating your body to science.
But what does that mean? And what does it mean for you? Should donating your body to science be a part of your plan? Here are 5 things to consider:
1. Medical Students Benefit from Real Bodies
21st century medical students have training options that doctors of the past only dreamed of. Virtual dissection programs, realistic mannequins, and digital anatomy models allow students to practice on almost the real thing, without the fuss of sourcing real bodies.
But experienced doctors and professors continue to stress the importance of practicing on actual bodies, for a few main reasons. For one, each human body is unique, and experiencing that uniqueness prepares future doctors to effectively care for a wide range of patients.
The second reason is that students develop a kind of muscle memory, a sense of how different body systems feel, that allows them to make more informed decisions when it counts. Knowing what it feels like to cut through the 7 layers of the abdomen required for a cesarean section, for example, helps surgeons remain calm, cool, and collected when multiple lives may be at stake.
2. Respect for the Dead Teaches Respect for the Living
Most people feel a sense of respect for funeral homes, cemeteries, and human remains. Many medical schools harness this feeling and encourage their students to treat bodies with the same respect they would show a living patient.
Professors often refer to a body as their students’ “first patient” and insist on procedures designed to preserve dignity, such as only uncovering the part of the body that is being worked on.
In addition, research schools like Columbia University have begun offering “gratitude ceremonies” for body donors. Families of donors stand side-by-side with medical students to pay their respects, remembering that these “first patients” had hopes, dreams, and loved ones.
3. Different Ways to Donate
Leaving your body to a medical school isn’t your only option. Each state in the US has one or more body donation programs that operate through universities, local governments, or third-party organizations. Find a vetted list here.
Each of these programs has its own application process and requirements for donation. Bodies may need to meet certain standards, such as being in intact condition and free from certain infectious diseases.
Once you choose a program, your body may go on to sit on a research table—or it may be used to make digital models. Some bodies and body parts have even been displayed in museums or bought by collectors.
4. Transparency Varies Between Programs
Programs vary widely in their procedures and operations, and it can be hard to tell when you’ve found a good one. WBUR reporter Ally Jarmanning hosted a podcast about Harvard’s misuse of donated bodies earlier this year, and she had some advice:
First, Ally suggests chatting with the people in charge and asking some detailed questions about how things work. Are the donor bodies kept at the school, or do they get sent to other places? Are they just for student learning, or do they also get used for other research?
Next, Ally recommends taking a look at any forms the program asks donors to sign. Pay attention to what they say about how the body will be used and what the program promises. Are the details clear? Does the form set limits, or does it give the school or business a lot of freedom with how they use it? Tips for evaluating body donation program paperwork.
5. Few Federal Rules Exist
In the US, body donation is one of those areas where regulation is left almost entirely to the states. This creates a patchwork of rules and enforcement that depends on your particular location. Some states leave it up to the schools themselves to create their own standards, and some schools turn that responsibility over to individual professors.
This results in a wide range of acceptable behavior, both on an individual and an institutional level. Medical schools and third party organizations can use donated bodies in many different ways, and they don’t always have to be upfront about it.
That’s why it’s so important to thoroughly research your options before making this decision.
One aspect of this process that is federally regulated is how your wishes are expressed and followed. The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA) was passed in 1968 and established your right to donate all or part of your body, even if your next of kin disagrees. The most recent version of the act reinforced this right, but it’s still important to clearly state your wishes in your Will and/or advance medical directive. See the full text of the original Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (1968) and discussion of the updated Uniform Anatomical Gift Act provisions.
Making Your Wishes Known
How your body will be cared for after death is an incredibly personal and important decision. Whether you decide to donate, cremate, bury, or some combination of these three, make sure you make your wishes known.
An experienced attorney can walk you through amending your legal documents to reflect your desires—for donation or otherwise.
At Promise Law, we believe in helping you make informed, confident decisions about your future.
If you’re ready to get started creating a comprehensive estate plan, check out our on-demand or in-person workshops today! When you finish or attend, you’ll receive a complimentary meeting with an attorney. (A $650 value) Take your first step towards peace of mind today. How to donate your body to science: a comprehensive guide.
