Should there be a category for bodies donated to science?

+8 votes
131 views
If there is a category for bodies donated to science, I have been unable to find it.

1. If one was created, what would the top category be?

2. Should it be subdivided into the region that the body was donated, or just one category?

I have two relatives in my tree that donated their bodies, and have seen a few more while searching.
WikiTree profile: Jim Bumgardner
in Policy and Style by Amy McAndrews G2G6 Mach 3 (31.1k points)

1 Answer

+7 votes
Amy,

The usual reason for the creation and use of a category is to provide a convenient grouping of individuals that shared a common experience.  The value is that knowing of the common experience may assist in further research.

So knowing that an individual was born at a particular town, or was buried at a particular location may assist locating relatives or finding additional information.

So - if you can determine how the category may be of benefit it would make sense to create it.  The structure would be the same as for cemeteries.  It is not obvious, at least to me, that adding the category adds value.  It is certainly an important note for the bio - especially if you have information about the motivation of the individual in make the decision.
by Philip Smith G2G6 Pilot (335k points)
I agree with Philip. Whereas such a category could be created, I'm not altogether too sure that it would be of value. If we encourage such a category, will we also need to develop subsets to the category?

* Profiles of people who have donated their hearts for transplant.

*Profiles of people who have donated their corneas for transplant.

*Profiles of people who have regularly donated blood to a blood bank.

*Profils of people who wanted to donate their bodies to science but were rejected because of X reason.

 

All in all, I'd rather not have the category.
I also agree.

This is interesting certainly, but it does not rise to the level that it should be categorized. Note it in the biography instead.
I's also like to mention that the profile of Jim Bumgardner is beautifully written and really brings its subject to life, at least for me.

Kudos to Amy McAndrews and any additional biographers in its writing. What a wonderful relative he must have been!

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