Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Gordon on 27/09/2011 11:01:04

Title: How do I donate my body to science?
Post by: Gordon on 27/09/2011 11:01:04
Gordon  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi!  

I hope you can provide me with advice about donating my body.  I'm motivated because I've been the recipient of three homograft aortic valves (and one bovine valve implant) at Auckland hospitals; the first occurred in 1966, the last in 2002 (and I've also experienced numerous other surgical procedures). 

As a youth suffering rheumatic fever in 1950, I was advised by Glasgow cardiologists I would not survive past the age of 29 unless new surgical developments proved successful.

At age 29 Stanford University surgeons confirmed that judgement and offered a pig valve.  As I had academic status I was able to learn of the new homograft procedures being initiated elsewhere; I traveled to New Zealand to "save my life" (and subsequently wrote the book _Operation New Zealand_). I've had an active life since then (despite the need for additional surgical work); I've written three other books, and wonder if my body might be of particular "historical" interest.

 I am now nearly 75, in "indifferent" health, and am attempting to settle affairs.  In the past year I've written to some New Zealand medical authorities asking if I might donate my body (and mentioning its unique attributes!); there has been no apparent interest. I'd thought that - even if it was impractical to utilize my old tissues - an acceptance might help publicize tissue donor projects in a public relations coup! Your advice would be much appreciated.

Yours sincerely

Gordon




What do you think?
Title: How do I donate my body to science?
Post by: CliffordK on 28/09/2011 09:04:24
Gordon,

Does your local medical school still teach Gross Anatomy?  You might call them and ask.  However, the Gross anatomy courses often concentrate more on what is "normal", and less on Pathology than what you might expect.  However, the people working with the program might also have some other ideas that you might be interested in.
Title: Re: How do I donate my body to science?
Post by: MelissaMunroe on 15/08/2014 11:09:10
There are a lot of medical facilities which conduct clinical research services (http://www.researchmedics.com/clinical-research/) on willing participants in order to gain progress in medical research. A lot of patients benefit from such research processes. But make sure before you apply for such programs that they are approved by the healthcare authorities.