<p>Has anyone here read “Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers”?</p>
<p>It is a subject that made me cringe, but it was going to be required reading for one of my kid’s high school classes, so I read it.</p>
<p>I quite enjoyed the book. It forces you to understand how useful cadavers have been to modern technology and medicine, as well as looking at the cadaver from a historical perspective. I highly recommend it. Even if it grosses you out, a little. </p>
<p>I still can’t think of honey the same way. (See, now you have to read the book!)</p>
<p>I do see your point, mamma-three, and have given it some thought over the years. Our high school AP Anatomy somehow gets access to a cadaver. If that cadaver convinces one or two students to pursue a medical career, is it wasted? My son is a physician assistant student and they take anatomy as sophomores in college, complete with lab. Anatomy is the hardest class in his program and I believe it actually weeds out students. The plus side is that most kids really learn a lot and come away convinced that they have chosen the right major. If people feel strongly about the issue, I’m sure they could choose to designate to a certain program.</p>
<p>So how many parents on here are planning to donate their body to an undergrad program for educational purposes? I appreciate the many responses about how educational has been for you or your kids, so I imagine many of you plan to donate too (given you can see its value more than those who haven’t had the experience). And if not, how come?</p>
<p>You know, I have not given that any thought. I do carry an organ donation card, but thanks for planting that seed. Sounds good to me. (although I am planning on wearing it out till its of no use to anyone )</p>
<p>I have signed the organ and tissue donor card. If they can’t harvest my organs and tissues I wouldn’t be opposed to donating my body to a university. Honestly, I hadn’t considered it to this point because of the organ donor card.</p>
<p>I don’t really care. When I am gone, I am gone. I think it’s creepy to be buried (we spoke about this on another thread recently.) I am not opposed to the idea that my ashes go into making an artificial sea reef.</p>
<p>D. has dissected only an animal yet, but she is in UG. I hope that in 3rd year of med. school or maybe earlier, she is done dissecting dead human body. If not, should we trust our MD’s at all? They have to learn sopmehow. On a personal note, I completely do not care how my own body is treated when I am not alive anymore? Why would I?</p>
<p>I would prefer my organs be donated to help others if possible and then I’d prefer to be cremated, but I’d have no objection if my body were donated to science itself. Like Samurai Landshark, I don’t much care what happens after I’m gone.</p>
<p>Momma-three - Glad you are just venting. IMO, I don’t think you need to be thinking about calling the college, etc. Just let it go…It’s not about someone in your family - just a kid you know that you feel wouldn’t appreciate it. At least think on it a couple of days before you make that phone call.</p>
<p>Lafalum84…Yes, like my daughter he will enter his 3rd year at the age of 19. My daughter will turn 20 in three weeks and she is in her 3rd year.</p>
<p>“So how many parents on here are planning to donate their body to an undergrad program for educational purposes?”</p>
<p>Like so many others, I carry an organ donation card. I have not thought about donating my body for years (when I was single) but maybe it’s time to start thinking again, Thanks for the reminder. </p>
<p>Without thinking too much I can honestly tell you that I could care less if I was grossing out and amazing undergraduate or graduate students.</p>
<p>On a less serious (and totally obvious) note - Sure they can have my body, they already have all my money.</p>
<p>One of my friends has signed the forms that when she passes, her body is donated to the company that creates the “Bodies” displays that exhibits throughout the world. It is an interesting process where they plasticize you. We have seen the roaming display in California and it is truly amazing.</p>
<p>I understand why PT, PA, MD and even PharmD programs place gross anatomy early in their curriculum but was surprised when my OT kid said they have to take it after their sophomore year. They take regular anatomy and physio sophomore year but it looks like most OT programs don’t even require biology (my kid took 2 bio courses as electives, so did the dissections of amphibians and small animals). It seems to me that OT is a blend of physical and psychological, but certainly not as heavy on the physical treatment as the other health professions, so the placement of gross anatomy seems strange in that curriculum. I’m hoping that the OT-dedicated section is the “lite” version (ie. muscles/nerves, not internal organs) and that the cadaver is then used by the med school students for further study/research. Any OT’s out there who care to comment on how useful gross anatomy is for them?</p>
<p>Btw, don’t know if anyone has mentioned this, but the gross anatomy requirement for these programs is not school-specific. They must include it in their curriculum to maintain their accreditation so their grads can actually sit for the licensing exams!</p>
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