MEDICAL AND LEGAL USEFULNESS OF CADAVER DISSECTION

Dr. Sharadkumar Pralhad Sawant* and Dr. Shaheen Rizvi

ABSTRACT

Dissection is not only a skill, but also an art that is identified as the signature of a surgeon. Besides the surgeon, all medical practitioners need to perform procedures such as the draining of an abscess, removal of a cyst, venesection, and so on. The initial learning seat for this marvellous art is the anatomy dissecting room. Dissection of a dead body is a time honoured part of medical education as a part of learning human anatomy. However, the use of human tissue for research and the use of human cadavers for teaching and training purposes are surrounded by ethical uncertainties. This paper emphasizes both medical and legal usefulness of cadaver dissection, revealing the specific forms in which the body of the deceased person can be used for teaching and scientific purposes. It is aimed at setting some nominal guidelines on how to act in an ethical way in procuring cadavers for dissection by medical students as well as for research purposes, These rules and regulations are recommended for maintaining the highest standard of dissection as well as for maintaining the dignity of the cadavers. It also deals with the moral-ethical values to be placed on the cadaver, pointing out the reasons for which a respectful attitude towards the cadaver is required.

Keywords: Dissection, Surgeons, Medical Practitioners, Surgical Procedures, Research, Cadavers, Human Anatomy, Moral-Ethical Values, Respectful Attitude