Cadaver procurement for anatomy teaching: Legislative challenges in a transition-related environment

Abstract

Background: Human gross anatomy is one of the cornerstones of a medical curriculum and cannot be performed without adequate cadaver procurement, which is a particular challenge for medical schools with a large student enrolment. The authors present the situation in a country with a low public awareness for willed body donor programmes and the prior absence of adequate legislation. Aim: Against this background, a comprehensive proposition of a whole-body procurement procedure was elaborated in the health-care law. Resolving the problem: The main goals of the proposition were: (a) identification of options for cadaver procurement (body bequeathal programme, unclaimed bodies and body donated with the permission of the next-of-kin); (b) defining the chain of order and responsibility of institutions In informing the medical school of the possible candidate for body procurement; (c) body storage and related procedures; (e) confidentiality of the deceased's personal data; (f) burial procedure of the deceased's remains. Conclusions: The authors are convinced that the willed programme for whole-body donation is a definite aim of such a legislation. However, we suggest that the acquisition of unclaimed bodies is maintained as a temporary solution, until a satisfactory level of public awareness of the problem has been reached.