Body donation and digital technology: the ethical issues

Year 2017, Volume: 11 Issue: 1, 42 - 45, 30.04.2017

Jon Cornwall

Abstract

Digital technology influences many different areas of society, including body donation and the use of bodies donated to science.
It affects the manner in which information arising from bodies donated to science can be generated, gathered and
utilised. This includes information arising from medical imaging procedures, photographs, and genomic investigation.
However many issues remain unclear in relation to this transaction, including the appropriate level of informed consent, family
involvement in decision-making and information sharing, and how commercialisation should be addressed. Highlighting
these issues shows there is a distinct lack of empirical evidence with which to guide appropriate use of digital information
arising from bodies donated to science, and caution is suggested in regard to the acquisition, distribution, and possible commercialisation
of such data.

Keywords

body donation, digital technology, education, commercialisation, informed consent, images

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