Uniform Anatomical Gift Act

[angledge]

I got my California driver's license in the mail yesterday. With it came a card upon which I can state whether or not I wish to donate my body to science in the event that I die. I said yes - they can have any organs, tissues, or parts that are recoverable, for use either as transplants or for medical research.

Anyway, part of the form reminded me to "discuss my decision with affected parties". So ... I don't know how many of you would consider yourself "affected parties", but hey, I consider public posts in this journal to be good records of my opinions. I suppose I'll tell my parents when next we talk on the phone.

Comments

[sskipstress.livejournal.com]

I'm reading a book called "Stiff" (will look up full title and author if you want) that starts off with a chapter about using disembodied heads for face lift practice.

Are you cool with your bits and pieces being used for practicing purely elective cosmetic surgical procedures like that? While I'd prefer to think that my bits would go to needy transplant recipients or cancer researchers, I can deal with such use of my body. But it is something morbid I hadn't thought about before.

[marasca.livejournal.com]

I think it's "Stiff: The Fascinating Lives of Cadavers" or something like that. I've been meaning to read it for a while.

Sally Mann did an interesting series of photos that were taken in a location that the FBI (or somesuch) used to study rate of decay in bodies. The photos were basically of corpses left to lie in a field and rot. Granted that is really useful in solving crimes and whatnot, I'm sure. But ick.

Nonetheless, I certainly support your decision to be a donor. I said yes too. :)

[angledge.livejournal.com]

The Body Farm is TOTALLY cool.

[funkyplaid.livejournal.com]

One of the pioneers of forensic body experimentation was Bill Bass, who opened the Bass Archaeological research Foundation, or BARF for short. There're some great accounts of this place in the book, 'Dead Men Do Tell Tales' by the late William Maples.

[marasca.livejournal.com]

Or maybe I'm not a tissue donor, just organs. But in any case, I signed up for whatever program DC has.

FBI- Cadavers

[(Anonymous)]

I know it's over a month, but I wanted to reply to you about those FBI cadavers...it's true. My brother trained in one of those locations, out in the Midwest, they have all kinds of bodies in open graves, frozen, ect. He said it's like walking through a Halloween Haunt, but it being real bodies...
Doreen-not yet a livejournal user...

no cosmetic surgery, even AFTER I'm dead!

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Are you cool with your bits and pieces being used for practicing purely elective cosmetic surgical procedures like that?

I have to admit, I'd be a little disappointed if that's was the final use of my corpse. But I bet that trivial uses like that are a tiny percentage of the total. It's far more likely that my corpse would get used as I envision - for saving someone's life.

Then again, once I'm dead it won't matter to me at all, now will it?

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Just don't let D get a hold of your mandibles...

Heck, that's half the motivation for donating my corpse in the first place!

Also remember we have to build you a Viking boat, so you can't donate it *all* to science ;)

It warms my heart to know that my final wishes are remembered by my friends. Remember that even if there's no body, you could still build a boat & - most importantly - have a huge wake.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Re-reading this, I realize that I should've pointed out that he's after my metacarpals (finger bones), not mandible (jaw bone).

[angledge.livejournal.com]

*shuffling off nonchalantly, whistling, hoping nobody noticed...*
*sneaks up behind you with an attack hug*

[krick.livejournal.com]

I call dibs on your kidneys.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

You don't want them. I had to have kidney surgery in 1988 after a major infection nearly closed them down.

[krick.livejournal.com]

hmmm... your liver is probably shot too.

Is there anything left of value?

[angledge.livejournal.com]

My heart is in good shape, as are my lungs. My corneas are still clear, so they could help out someone with cataracts. I've got lots of skin, good for transplants to burn victims. My bone marrow is in working order. Several pints of blood, a few miles of blood vessels.

Or I could end up rotting at the Body Farm. It's all good.

[carocrow.livejournal.com]

Well, I know somebody's got to do it, but I prefer to be an organ donor and have the rest of me nicely carbonized and cast to the winds. I really honor those folks who don't mind being autopsied in medical schools and the like; it's important for students to work with bodies and not just mannequins or software (though I understand VR has come a long way for training).

[krick.livejournal.com]

carbonized? cool you can be just like Han Solo. ;)

[carocrow.livejournal.com]

Yeah... but I hope they get me smiling or looking peaceful, and not all twisted up like that. Heh.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Once I'm dead, I don't care what they do with the remains. The corpse isn't me. So if medical students end up learning Gross Anatomy from my body, that's fine.

The important thing is a wake. That's my real concern. Big party. Lots of reminiscing. Plenty to drink.

[carocrow.livejournal.com]

I guess it's being reared as a preacher's daughter, and being a nurse for so long; I've gotten such a large thing about respect and honor. Not that that is a bad thing.

I understand your feeling about it, too. I'm not quite that cavalier about my body yet, though ;-)

Hey, I want to have a party *now*!

party time!

[angledge.livejournal.com]

OK.

*dies*

Come on out to California, everybody!

Re: party time!

[carocrow.livejournal.com]

HAHAHAHAHA... *cough*

NOT what I meant ;-)

[fizrep.livejournal.com]

I'd SO buy tickets for that one.

[evilfb.livejournal.com]

Well you know the Plaid one will want your fingers. Creepy......

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Well you know the Plaid one will want your fingers. Creepy......

He can't have them. The only remnant of me that shall remain with him (& with you) is my ghost - I plan to join Wilhemina & haunt Le Chateau.

[funkyplaid.livejournal.com]

Ange, darling.

I've been secretly tunneling with a spoon into your room. I've set up a camera to permanently watch the subtle twitching of your carpals during sleep.

Put the lotion in the fucking basket; they're mine.

Put the lotion in the fucking basket

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Now that song is stuck in my head.