My BFF went to school to be a funeral director, where they learned how to embalm on donated cadavers. So when my BFF was dying, they arranged to have their body donated to a local medical university, kindof as a way of "giving back". The program didn't disclose exactly what the bodies would be used for, but they said many of them were used for medical training. Anyway, in both cases (embalming training and medical training) apparently "unusual" bodies are still useful. Also, it greatly reduced funeral expenses because the program provided free cremation afterwards.
So, people should still consider donating their bodies after death, someone will probably find some value in it.
No way, we only care about what's on the inside. And if the inside is weird, even better! I love seeing some shit I've never seen before. We have meetings on odd findings because that's how you suss out patterns no one has picked up on before.
I mean... I'm not a scientist, but wouldn't that be a good thing? A scientifically uninteresting specimen, to me, means no abnormalities, no weird diseases, bog-standard "nothing interesting, they just died."
I think it's implying the opposite, that they abused their body so much during life that they no longer qualify to be donated. Weight is one of the major disqualifiers for whole-body donation.
The vast majority of bodies go to medical institutions for surgical training, with a smaller percent going to research
There are a few reasons that I know of: Heavy bodies are more difficult to move, fat bodies take longer to dissect, and large bodies don't always fit on the (usually decades-old) tables.
I think that weight is a disqualification that's been changing in recent years, because even in Europe bodies are starting to trend larger. But it's still something to keep in mind if you live in like Mississippi and think the University of Mississippi will take your 350 pound grandpa when he passes on.
Severe obesity (body weight over 200 lbs.) or severe wasting
Wait what? I converted 200 lbs to kg and it should be equal 90 kg. This isn't severely obese. I weigh much more and do stuff like bouldering.
Anyways, doesn't even matter because it is important to also train on fat bodies. Because otherwise we face the same problems medicine has with ignoring female and black bodies. Most studies have just been on white, able-bodied male bodies. To actually treat all bodies with the best care, medical professionals should be trained on all types of bodies!
I agree with you, I was just sharing what I knew of the process. My grandpa was rejected in a different state, but they were kind enough to cremate him for us.
Oh, hadn't thought about it that way! And, fair point, different types of interest in science.
Also think the "for science" specifier set it so that the entire thing would be research oriented in my head:)) Were it for donation of organs, yeah... not much use for a nuked liver=)))
Mum used to tell me stories about how dad and a mate of his would "prank"* a third dude while practicing on bodies by casually having lunch over an open chest cavity, with the full salad on display. Frequently made the third guy lose his.
So far, the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree, so... yeah:))) Most likely=))))
That's a good way to get kicked out of the wet lab. Most tutors are incredibly serious about treating bodies with respect, you can't take photos, or muck around with them.
Going Hamlet with them would be absolutely not on.
Education-wise it is best to have an "uninteresting" cadaver to start with. Otherwise one might spend half a lesson trying to figure out something beyond their scope. But after grasping the basics it is best to delve into such variations, otherwise one might learn them mid-surgery.
For research it is best to have the test subject be as "normal" as possible (unless the research is about the variation), so the findings are not skewed.
Yep! Most definitely not a scientist!:))) Thank you so much for the details, this has brought me to the point where I'm starting to understand what I don't know about research in general!
I'm only donating my body to science so none of my family is left with the bill for the cremation and burial. I guess it'll be fun for them since I've already had my gallbladder and appendix removed. By the time I die who knows what'll be left.
Only if its female menstruation blood (ive seed a documentary that it is good stuff, even with some stem cells so it could be a source without adding any additional pain to get some BUT because no one is used to it being a topic even someone researching feces did go ewwwww)
51 Comments
Sergio@piefed.social · 79 pts · 346d
My BFF went to school to be a funeral director, where they learned how to embalm on donated cadavers. So when my BFF was dying, they arranged to have their body donated to a local medical university, kindof as a way of "giving back". The program didn't disclose exactly what the bodies would be used for, but they said many of them were used for medical training. Anyway, in both cases (embalming training and medical training) apparently "unusual" bodies are still useful. Also, it greatly reduced funeral expenses because the program provided free cremation afterwards.
So, people should still consider donating their bodies after death, someone will probably find some value in it.
ivanafterall@lemmy.world · 36 pts · 346d
Just my luck. I'll be worth an absolute fortune...AFTER I'm dead.
Sergio@piefed.social · 21 pts · 346d
Here on the fediverse, you're treasured NOW, fam!
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 346d
put me down for one freeze-dried disk of comrade potate here
WorldsDumbestMan@lemmy.today · 4 pts · 346d
Humans are worth more dead than alive. No news.
Nikls94@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 346d
So you’re telling me my disgustingly obese body is useful for something
SkaveRat@discuss.tchncs.de · 11 pts · 346d
Your body can fuel the cremation ovens for days
Agent641@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 346d
Or the bodyfarm dogs for weeks
Marty_Purtell@discuss.tchncs.de · 3 pts · 346d
Sorry for your loss
frustrated_phagocytosis@fedia.io · 45 pts · 346d
No way, we only care about what's on the inside. And if the inside is weird, even better! I love seeing some shit I've never seen before. We have meetings on odd findings because that's how you suss out patterns no one has picked up on before.
froh42@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 346d
I caught something rare once, cutaneous leishmaniosis.
I had to go to a special doctor for tropical medicine associatied to the university.
The doctor asked if I mind, and as I didn't she called in a couple of students.
"Look, this is a typical lesion of leishmaniosis, the red wall and a sore in the middle...."
Explaining to them, what they'd need to look out for.
latenightnoir@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 42 pts · 346d
I mean... I'm not a scientist, but wouldn't that be a good thing? A scientifically uninteresting specimen, to me, means no abnormalities, no weird diseases, bog-standard "nothing interesting, they just died."
FoxyFerengi@startrek.website · 23 pts · 346d
I think it's implying the opposite, that they abused their body so much during life that they no longer qualify to be donated. Weight is one of the major disqualifiers for whole-body donation.
The vast majority of bodies go to medical institutions for surgical training, with a smaller percent going to research
other_cat@piefed.zip · 4 pts · 346d
Why is weight a disqualifier?
FoxyFerengi@startrek.website · 7 pts · 346d
There are a few reasons that I know of: Heavy bodies are more difficult to move, fat bodies take longer to dissect, and large bodies don't always fit on the (usually decades-old) tables.
I think that weight is a disqualification that's been changing in recent years, because even in Europe bodies are starting to trend larger. But it's still something to keep in mind if you live in like Mississippi and think the University of Mississippi will take your 350 pound grandpa when he passes on.
flora_explora@beehaw.org · 7 pts · 346d
Wait what? I converted 200 lbs to kg and it should be equal 90 kg. This isn't severely obese. I weigh much more and do stuff like bouldering.
Anyways, doesn't even matter because it is important to also train on fat bodies. Because otherwise we face the same problems medicine has with ignoring female and black bodies. Most studies have just been on white, able-bodied male bodies. To actually treat all bodies with the best care, medical professionals should be trained on all types of bodies!
FoxyFerengi@startrek.website · 2 pts · 346d
I agree with you, I was just sharing what I knew of the process. My grandpa was rejected in a different state, but they were kind enough to cremate him for us.
flora_explora@beehaw.org · 1 pts · 345d
Thanks for sharing, otherwise I wouldn't even have thought of this. It's so infuriating :(
maxwellfire@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 346d
That implies to me that surgeons aren't training on heavier people though which seems bad
dream_weasel@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 345d
Needing to make a special point to have specialized equipment to train on heavier people also seems bad...
latenightnoir@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 4 pts · 346d
Oh, hadn't thought about it that way! And, fair point, different types of interest in science.
Also think the "for science" specifier set it so that the entire thing would be research oriented in my head:)) Were it for donation of organs, yeah... not much use for a nuked liver=)))
Dave2@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 346d
ininewcrow@lemmy.ca · 18 pts · 346d
That one medical student who picks up your head and comically operates your jaw .....
"Hey look at me everyone, I'm a cadaver!"
Zorsith@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 11 pts · 346d
I would pay extra to guarantee i was used as a comedy prop.
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 346d
What about donating your finger bones to make dice for that one company
latenightnoir@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 9 pts · 346d
Mum used to tell me stories about how dad and a mate of his would "prank"* a third dude while practicing on bodies by casually having lunch over an open chest cavity, with the full salad on display. Frequently made the third guy lose his.
So far, the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree, so... yeah:))) Most likely=))))
T156@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 346d
That's a good way to get kicked out of the wet lab. Most tutors are incredibly serious about treating bodies with respect, you can't take photos, or muck around with them.
Going Hamlet with them would be absolutely not on.
Dave2@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 14 pts · 346d
Education-wise it is best to have an "uninteresting" cadaver to start with. Otherwise one might spend half a lesson trying to figure out something beyond their scope. But after grasping the basics it is best to delve into such variations, otherwise one might learn them mid-surgery. For research it is best to have the test subject be as "normal" as possible (unless the research is about the variation), so the findings are not skewed.
latenightnoir@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 3 pts · 346d
Yep! Most definitely not a scientist!:))) Thank you so much for the details, this has brought me to the point where I'm starting to understand what I don't know about research in general!
finitebanjo@piefed.world · 22 pts · 346d
Fleur_@aussie.zone · 19 pts · 346d
You're just gonna be used as practice for med students 👍
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 346d
this is gonna be the med students working on us
I_am_10_squirrels@beehaw.org · 5 pts · 346d
That's the best case scenario
DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 346d
They don't care. They're just going to blow you up, anyway.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49198405
vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works · 12 pts · 346d
Can someone turn me into a servo skull I want to follow around field researchers and screech at them in binary.
WorldsDumbestMan@lemmy.today · 3 pts · 346d
Same. Let them have no respite from my annoyingness!
RedSnt@feddit.dk · 9 pts · 346d
I'm only donating my body to science so none of my family is left with the bill for the cremation and burial. I guess it'll be fun for them since I've already had my gallbladder and appendix removed. By the time I die who knows what'll be left.
dream_weasel@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 345d
Maybe you'll have extra things by then!
WorldsDumbestMan@lemmy.today · 2 pts · 346d
Your still living brain in a jar
burntbacon@discuss.tchncs.de · 9 pts · 346d
Luckily, the military takes the body from the science folks and blows it up! FOR SCIENCE!
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 346d
excuse me but i'm donating to physics not medical
burntbacon@discuss.tchncs.de · 4 pts · 346d
Ah, the old polonium trick!
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 346d
bolognium, technically
ininewcrow@lemmy.ca · 8 pts · 346d
They will use it as an example of what happens when a human doesn't take care of themselves.
ivanafterall@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 346d
I take care of myself 10-12 times a day, on average. In case they wonder about all the wear and tear.
SpaceCowboy@lemmy.ca · 4 pts · 346d
Even better: I'm going to write my PhD thesis on this one!
9point6@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 346d
Yep, furnace me on expiration please
Zerush@lemmy.ml · 4 pts · 346d
I always give a fuck of what people think or do, more if I'm dead
boydster@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 346d
This feels like a Mitch Hedberg quote, I think he'd appreciate it
AcidiclyBasicGlitch@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 346d
"You're fucking up the curve!"
Little8Lost@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 346d
Only if its female menstruation blood (ive seed a documentary that it is good stuff, even with some stem cells so it could be a source without adding any additional pain to get some BUT because no one is used to it being a topic even someone researching feces did go ewwwww)
HappyFrog@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 346d
If youlive in the us, even the most umwater bodies have fheir uses: https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-bodybrokers-industry/
village604@adultswim.fan · 2 pts · 345d
At the very least you could end up in a body farm.