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The Daily PollTHERE HAS BEEN an increase in the number of people donating their bodies to medical science in Ireland.
In total, 397 people donated their bodies between 2012-2015.
The bodies are dissected by medical students to help in their studies.
So today we’re asking, would you donate your body to medical science?
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Yes, but my first preference would be for my organs to be donated to people who need transplants.
I think in general those who donated their bodies to science are those who have died from a long illness like cancer. I am no doctor but I would assume that the important organs wouldn’t be viable after cancer has ravaged them
Both statements make no sense there. People from all walks of life agree to donate their bodies to medical science (not just cancer victims), and even if it was exclusively cancer victims their entire body is still useful to the cause, even cancer stricken organs
My body is medical science already. There will be a shrine in the college of surgeons dedicated to me when I’m gone.
We should really bring in the opt out system
@Daniel I think you flipped the meanings there, the “cancer-stricken” people may not be useful for the transplant scheme rather than scientific donation. My uncle was riddled, hence not being able to be an organ donor like he would have preferred.
My pocket is telling to go ahead and donate no funeral costs
Sadly you cannot donate your body post organ removal, it has to be intact even if you have a postmortem it rules you out of being able to donate.
My aunt, who had no children, donated her body. There was a funeral but instead of being buried her body was taken away. It all happened quickly as embalming is not possible. Two years later we received a call to say she would be buried, by the college of surgeons and we were invited to attend. A priest officiated at the burial at the college’s mass grave in Glasnevin. It was really a beautiful ceremony. And cost her relatives nothing, which was part of her plan. I believe that bodies donated to science are not studied in their own country to avoid the danger of a relative coming across the body. Some time later, at, I presume an annual event, a ceremony of remembrance was held which included a representative of all religions of students. It included Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, as well as Muslin, Jehovah Witness and of course, the different parts of Christianity. To anyone seriously considering this, I say Go for it.
I was just gona burn it all….might get into UCD after all.
Ditto applying to Trinity here
Already signed up for it with UCD.
Yes, donate the organs to those in need of them and the rest to science, all that will happen otherwise is they will be eaten by maggots and push up daises.
You don’t have to be so graphic ktsiwot. Show some tact next time.
Amy
sorry to offend your sensibilities, by stating what happens.
Ktsiwot you’d be great to have around at a funeral disturbing everyone by “stating the facts”. Seriously be more sensitive.
Amy, he stated a fact in an environment where these facts are relevant. Don’t come on to a thread and read the comments on an article about cadavers if you’re so sensitive. Also know, they often delimb cadavers so the students can dissect the limbs individually and so they are easier to store. They are often left in a giant VAT of formaldehyde and you have to reach in and fish around til you find the right body part. I hope this educated and desensitises you.
Don’t worry Riddle Me This I wouldn’t expect someone pro abortion to be sensitive so no harm done.
Poor sensitive pet hates facts :) #antishatefacts
Rosie I know you idolize me but seriously stop stalking me now.
Can’t do both, you donate organs or donate intact cadaver
Ah yeah, They can take whatever they want when I’m dead, balls n alll
They will be very sought after as it seems they will not have been used.
Ah hahahaahahahaha
Anyone buying or selling now lads…last few
My ads?
Sure we’ll have a wake for them too so
My Uncle did a few years ago. He was buried 2 years later.
I would do it if my kids were old enough to agree to it. I wouldn’t do it without their agreement.
As did my own dear uncle 7 years ago. “Floating in the tank at the College of Surgeons” he called it. Similarly, cremated two years later. I’d do it.
It’s no good to me after I die so belt away.
How else are they to learn, 3D images are ok but are no comparison for the real thing. You can’t touch or feel an image. So I would have no problem giving mine.
Why not? I wont have a need for it anymore
I fully intend to.
My sister passed on July 19th. It was her wish for her body to be donated to science which it was. We had a memorial service for her the next day as my elderly parents want to mark her passing and bring people together to remember our brilliant sister. It was weird for me as there wasn’t the feeling of closure you get from the death/funeral/burial routine we are use to. I don’t know if I would do the same when my time comes.
Due to various medication I take I cannot donate organs and am already signed up to the RCS to donate my body. My late mother was appalled that I would even consider such a thing !
Strange thing about eyes. My daughter who carries a doner card wishes to donate all her parts to be transplanted but Not her eyes. Do not understand it myself.
she’s doing more than most, so be proud of her. Although, it would be a strange funeral with just a pair of brown eyes being lowered into the ground.
That me LOL.
Most certainly would. And what’s with you guys and your eyes? What good are they to you when you’re dead?
I seriously considered it until the penny dropped I could not be home waked (still v popular in the North and good for the grieving process in my opinion).
Organ donation definitely the way to go – also takes care of my fear of being buried alive.
It’s the family that suffers the upset and trauma if the body is donated as they have to wait a long time for closure to bury their loved one.
Well they should be more open minded and realise that donating your corpse to science is a much more positive thing than being put in a box in the ground.
I agree but people don’t think rationally when things are so raw and they are grieving
Cheryl, I won’t be letting the ” leftovers ” come back to be buried by my family after. You can opt for that too.
Cheryl, we had 2 services for my Uncle who donated his body. Much humour derived from the fact he didn’t bother attending his own funeral at the first one which is how he would have wanted us to feel. Chances are if you’re the sort of person who will donate it won’t be a shock to anyone close enough to you to care.
Very true Cheryl. Both my grandparents donated their bodies to medical science. It was an extremely difficult thing to experience with when they died. It extended the grieving period and we were left with a sence of not having closure. I completely understand the necessity of cadavers but it is so so hard on the people left behind.
Suppose your relative died of cancer wouldn’t be great if the med student that worked on them was the one that found a cure for cancer, that’s what I think and maybe it’s the fact that once your dead that’s it your gone it’s pretty much my belief I have no qualms donating.
In a few generations time when the world realises that religion isn’t all its cracked up to be then maybe all bodies will be used wherever needed. For now well keep lumping clay onto wooden boxes.
I would consider it but im sure the government would want to tax my body parts in some way so feck it No!
@P. ENNIS: You could always donate one of your N’s!
I want to donate my organs to those who will need them and my body to science in the hopes it can further alternatives to outdated animal experiments.
How does one go about, does anyone here know? Do you have to register? Just write it in a will?
It’s ok. Just came across the other article explaining it all. So it’s organs or body. Pity you can’t have a priority list. If any organs are viable, help someone first. Should that not be the case, donate the entire body.
Apply to your nearest hospital as listed, they will send you the forms. Very easy.
Yup take what you need. Except my eyes. They stay with me.
Always confuses me when people say that. Why would you retain them? You’re dead, you don’t need them.
curious now… what’s with the eyes?
My dad says your eyes are the window to your soul. That’s why he won’t allow his to be donated
From my own experience…my late mother donated her body. We had the Memorial Service few days after her death. UCC brought her coffin to the church gates and we wheeled her in, the night beforehand. Obviously not opened. They came to collect her after the service, the next morning…in a black hearse…very discreet and professional.
We then had to wait two years before having her back to bury…( We were told one year…) be advised, depending on month of death, it can take the two years… apparently the first year students were not ready and the second year students had to pass their exams…! UCC drove her up the country to her home town to have a graveside service at burial. Not allowed back into the church.
I filled in the forms some years ago and donated my corpse to science They might not take it in the end it depends how many they have at the time of your demise and the condition of your corpse I have informed the family and they are all on board and if medical science take my remains that saves the family a funeral expense,The will inter or cremate the remains two years later and the family will be informed.
I would prefer to donate my body to the countdown blonde while Im still alive!
Organ donation first.
Not me cos I intend to live forever-or die trying. Anyway who cares so long as Kerry run rings around those weener dubs
Maybe the School of Veterinary Medicine will take you?
With all that’s wrong with me , it’s definitely school of veterinary medicine for me . Sure my own doctor now suggests I go to the vets instead of him
I would – though I think they’d contest the will.
Who? Your family? I think sitting and explaining it to them might quell any fears/misunderstandings they have
Oh dear!
I was suggesting Science would contest the will. That I would be such a poor specimen that the scientific community would, as one, reject me.
My husband and I have set this up with Cork University Hospital a few years ago. They treat the body with reverence, and after all we are only an empty shell in the end, so our last effort to help humanity
Just dont take my eyes!
Why?
I’d have no problem donating my dead body but just don’t take Donal’s eyes.
I heard Geirge Hook once say there’s 5k up for grabs for doing so, he has agreed to do it himself. is there money in it?
Did George say it was Pay-by-weight or just a flat fee?? If it’s the first option and he’s worth 5k, I’d hardly get 1k!!
Sure.
No. But I’d donate me wife’s.
Ktsiwot you’d be great to have around at a funeral disturbing everyone by “stating what happens”. Seriously be more sensitive.
Stop trying to control other peoples comments :) #antislovecontrol
Most people here are talking nonsense. Get the facts right if you are interested. Both myself and my husband signed up few years ago. You have to register by signing forms etc with one of the Universities. There are lots of reasons why they may not be able to take you…….trauma, if you require a postmortem etc or even lack of space. You have to have a plan B in place in that event. They can either bury or cremate you two years later. Nobody has to attend if you so desire.
No, not after knowing what some sick medical students have done to past body parts of these bodies and they call them jokes, sick frigs…
Most donated cadavers are used for training pathologists and detectives in forensics. The body is left to decompose in a natural environment for a period so the trainees can learn of the decomposition process and estimate time of death. So you are wrong if you think your carcass is going to be investigated and dissected by budding surgeons, it’s more likely that it will be dumped in the woods to slowly rot while detectives poke sticks in it and play a game of Cluedo.
Yes.
If I was given a guarantee that none of the parts of my temple ended up being employed by someone of atheist persuasion.
@Joey_Westland: LOL ah God love ya
I’d rather donate organs but mine can’t be used. They could learn a lot about NF2 so yes.
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