How to Donate Your Body to Science

Guide Note

Donating your body to science is a wonderful thing to do, and there is always an urgent need for volunteers. But if you don't know where to get started, the process can be daunting. This guide will make the process less confusing and will tell you how to donate your body to science.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Step 1: Do Your Research
• Step 2: Discuss Your Plans
• Step 3: Make Your Donation Official
• Conclusion
• References

Donating Your Body Tips

1. Contact local medical schools, hospitals and research facilities that are seeking donor bodies.
2. Ask them about any possible fees associated with your donation, how they will use your body and what they will do with it when they are done.
3. Discuss your plans with your family.
4. Fill out the consent form to donate your body.
5. Keep a copy of your consent form in a safe place.

• by Greg S

Introduction

(CC photo by jorritf)

• Donating your body to science is a noble act.¹ Donor bodies are essential to medical and scientific progress.² They are used for everything from training doctors and testing new drugs and surgical techniques³ to "body farms,"⁴ where forensics students learn what happens to cadavers exposed to the elements.

• There is a critical shortage of body donors, and your donation could save lives. The donation process can be a bit confusing, but this guide will help you through it.⁵

Step 1: Do Your Research

(Creative Commons photo by Jeff Adair)

• There are many facilities in the US seeking body donors. You need to do some research to find the one that is right for you.⁶

1. Do an online search for the phrase “willed body program” along with your state or city.⁷
   • This will lead you to medical schools, hospitals and research facilities in your area seeking donations.
2. Body donation is largely unregulated,⁸ and there are many organizations out there using donor tissue for unscrupulous purposes.⁹
   • When you are investigating organizations, make sure they are accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks, which oversees tissue donations.¹⁰

Investigate the Facility's Requirements and Benefits

• Different facilities can have very different policies,¹¹ so be sure to ask many questions so you'll know this is the right facility for you.¹²

1. Ask how the facility will use your body.
   • You can specify things you don't want your body used for, but you cannot specify what your body will be used for.¹³
   • You can greatly increase the odds that your body will be used for certain things by choosing to donate to facilities that specialize in certain diseases.¹⁴
2. Ask about the facility's policy regarding any health issues you may have.
   • Many facilities will reject donors who have certain medical conditions, like syphilis, tuberculosis or AIDS.¹⁵
3. Ask about any age requirements.
   • Typically there is no maximum age, but you must be over 18.¹⁶
4. Find out what the facility will do with your body after they are finished with it.¹⁷
   • Will the facility cremate your body?¹⁸ Will your body or ashes be returned to your family? When?
5. Discuss any possible fees with the facility.
   • Many facilities will pay all the expenses when you donate your body, but not all of them will.¹⁹ There could be costs like embalming and transportation that your family will be expected to pay.²⁰
6. If you're wondering about selling your body to science, rather than donating it, forget about it.
   • There is a very shady, undergroud market for cadavers,²¹ but the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act makes it illegal to sell or buy parts for medical purposes.²²
   • The act does leave some wiggle room by allowing for "processing fees," but don't expect to make your family rich this way.²³

Step 2: Discuss Your Plans With Your Family

(Creative Commons photo by j. botter)

• It can be awkward, but you need to talk with your family about your plan to donate your body to science.

1. If you don't tell your family, they won't find out until after you've died,²⁴ which could be traumatic.
   • Your family might object to your plans on religious grounds or for other reasons. If so, you need to know now so you can try to resolve these issues.²⁵
   • After you have died, your next of kin must provide their consent for your body to be donated to science.²⁶
2. Instruct your family about the things they'll need to do after you've passed away.
   • Very soon after you die, your family will need to contact the facility you've selected.²⁷
   • Specify that you don't want a post-mortem, and you want to donate your whole body,²⁸ not just certain organs. Many facilities will not accept bodies that are missing any organs other than the corneas.²⁹

Step 3: Make Your Donation Official

• Fill out a consent form confirming that you are donating your body, and store a copy with your will in a safe place, such as a safe deposit box.¹⁴ Make sure your loved ones know it's there.

• Note that you can change your mind and cancel the donation at any time.³⁰

Conclusion

• There is really no downside to donating your body to science. By doing so, you're helping doctors save lives. You might also save your family from an expensive funeral. Find a facility you can trust, discuss your plans with your loved ones and begin the donation process today. You won't regret it.

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References for How to Donate Your Body to Science

1. ↑ Wikipedia: Body Donation
2. ↑ NBC6.net: Body Donations Needed To Train Medical Students (October 10, 2007)
3. ↑ Science Buzz: Why donate your body to science?
4. ↑ HowStuffWorks: How Organ Donation Works
5. ↑ Los Angeles Times: For human dissection needs, the body count is low (May 26, 2008)
6. ↑ Anatomical Board: Body Donation Programs in the United States
7. ↑ The Straight Dope: How do you donate your body to science?
8. ↑ FOXNews.com: How to Donate Your Body to Science (June 13, 2007)
9. ↑ Washington Post: In New York, a Grisly Traffic in Body Parts (January 28, 2006)
10. ↑ Official Site: American Association of Tissue Banks
11. ↑ UAB Health System: Donating Body for Scientific Research
12. ↑ University of Connecticut Health Center: The Corpse Collector (August 14, 2007)
13. ↑ Salon.com: Over your dead body (April 17, 2003)
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1} eHow.com: How to Donate a Body to Medical Research
15. ↑ Virginia.gov: Questions and Answers: Donating Body to Science
16. ↑ Cleveland Clinic: Body Donation Program
17. ↑ MedicineNet.com: Ask the Experts: Donating Your Body to Med School
18. ↑ AllExperts: Funeral Expenses
19. ↑ About.com: Choose a Final Resting Place  
20. ↑ LubbockOnline: Find Out What Really Happens When You Donate Your Body (December 8, 2007)
21. ↑ New York Times: Death Wish (March 11, 2004)
22. ↑ Anatomical Gift: Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act
23. ↑ Ask Yahoo!: Is it possible to sell my body to science? (February 19, 2007)
24. ↑ New York Times: Alternatives for Final Disposition (April 15, 2008)
25. ↑ NPR: Body Donors: A Final Gift of Teaching, (February 10, 2005)
26. ↑ Science Care: Body Donation FAQ
27. ↑ MayoClinic.com: Making a Donation
28. ↑ Helium: Donating your body to medical science
29. ↑ WomensHealth.gov: Organ Donation and Transplantation
30. ↑ Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine: OHSU Body Donation Program