Dear Editor
The following statement was issued shortly after the performance of a
"public autopsy" in London. It may consolidate your views, especially
those on: "Expert" Witnesses: Did Von Hagens Act Professionally? It
reflects the concern of those many professionals involved in medical
dissections and investigations performed on human cadavers. The statement
was sent to the Council of Europe, and it still is posted at
http://www.unifr.ch/efem/news.html
PUBLIC STATEMENT ON THE PUBLIC PERFORMANCE OF AN AUTOPSY
The European Federation for Experimental Morphology (EFEM), the
"umbrella" organisation that includes Anatomical Societies throughout
Europe, applauds Professor Dr Günter von Hagens sentiment concerning the
need to disseminate widely anatomical knowledge to the general public.
However, the EFEM cannot accept that an anatomical examination
presented as a dissection performed in front of a large audience is
capable of attaining that goal for the following reasons:
1 The human body does not consist only of isolated organs that can be
demonstrated like isolated car parts. Indeed, the body’s intimate
topographical relationships must be appreciated through personal
exploration and scientifically-directed dissection.
2 Anatomy must be learned through the application of several parallel
methods, among which dissection is very important, but it cannot be
separated from such other medical imaging techniques as radiology,
ultrasonic imaging, MR iconography, endoscopy, etc.
Moreover, the EFEM is aware of the strong moral and legal
responsibilities which underpin anatomical dissection. It is the duty of
academics associated with medicine to protect human dignity and to respect
the rights and privacy of patients. Such rights do not end at their death.
Therefore, the EFEM requests from European Regional, National and
International Authorities that they strictly control the application of
the Laws and Regulations governing donation, death certification,
transport, dissection and disposal of human cadavers used for anatomical
analysis or post mortem examination. Furthermore, special attention must
be given to the informed consent of the persons wishing to donate their
bodies. In particular, it is necessary to ensure that proper procedures
are undertaken, and that anatomical dissections and post mortem
examinations are only undertaken privately to maintain subject
confidentiality.
Prof. Pierre Sprumont, Secretary General of EFEM
Signed by: Prof. Bernard Moxham, Cardiff, President
Prof. Karl Zilles, Düsseldorf, Past President
Prof Berend Hillen, Nijmegen, Treasurer,
Prof. Jacques-Patrick Barbet, Paris
Prof. Lev L. Kolesnikov, Moscow
Prof. Diogo Pais, Lisbon
Prof. Jan Drukker, Maastricht, Former President
Prof. Chryssi Foroglou-Kerameos, Thessaloniki, Former President
Prof. Georges Grignon, Nancy, Former President
Dear Editor
The following statement was issued shortly after the performance of a "public autopsy" in London. It may consolidate your views, especially those on: "Expert" Witnesses: Did Von Hagens Act Professionally? It reflects the concern of those many professionals involved in medical dissections and investigations performed on human cadavers. The statement was sent to the Council of Europe, and it still is posted at http://www.unifr.ch/efem/news.html
PUBLIC STATEMENT ON THE PUBLIC PERFORMANCE OF AN AUTOPSY
The European Federation for Experimental Morphology (EFEM), the "umbrella" organisation that includes Anatomical Societies throughout Europe, applauds Professor Dr Günter von Hagens sentiment concerning the need to disseminate widely anatomical knowledge to the general public.
However, the EFEM cannot accept that an anatomical examination presented as a dissection performed in front of a large audience is capable of attaining that goal for the following reasons:
1 The human body does not consist only of isolated organs that can be demonstrated like isolated car parts. Indeed, the body’s intimate topographical relationships must be appreciated through personal exploration and scientifically-directed dissection.
2 Anatomy must be learned through the application of several parallel methods, among which dissection is very important, but it cannot be separated from such other medical imaging techniques as radiology, ultrasonic imaging, MR iconography, endoscopy, etc.
Moreover, the EFEM is aware of the strong moral and legal responsibilities which underpin anatomical dissection. It is the duty of academics associated with medicine to protect human dignity and to respect the rights and privacy of patients. Such rights do not end at their death.
Therefore, the EFEM requests from European Regional, National and International Authorities that they strictly control the application of the Laws and Regulations governing donation, death certification, transport, dissection and disposal of human cadavers used for anatomical analysis or post mortem examination. Furthermore, special attention must be given to the informed consent of the persons wishing to donate their bodies. In particular, it is necessary to ensure that proper procedures are undertaken, and that anatomical dissections and post mortem examinations are only undertaken privately to maintain subject confidentiality.
Prof. Pierre Sprumont, Secretary General of EFEM
Signed by: Prof. Bernard Moxham, Cardiff, President
Prof. Karl Zilles, Düsseldorf, Past President
Prof Berend Hillen, Nijmegen, Treasurer,
Prof. Jacques-Patrick Barbet, Paris
Prof. Lev L. Kolesnikov, Moscow
Prof. Diogo Pais, Lisbon
Prof. Jan Drukker, Maastricht, Former President
Prof. Chryssi Foroglou-Kerameos, Thessaloniki, Former President
Prof. Georges Grignon, Nancy, Former President