British Medical Bulletin Advance Access published online on February 26, 2008
British Medical Bulletin, doi:10.1093/bmb/ldn006
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Research on the recently dead: an historical and ethical examination
1 Institute of Philosophy, Diversity and Mental Health, Centre for Ethnicity and Health, Harrington Building, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK
2 ESRC Centre: CESAGen, Institute for Advanced Studies, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YD, UK
Correspondence to: Dr F. Tomasini Institute of Philosophy Diversity and Mental Health Centre for Ethnicity and Health, Harrington Building, University of Central Lancashire Solider Preston PR1 2HE UK E-mail: FJTomasini{at}uclan.ac.uk/ f.tomasini{at}lancaster.ac.uk
Introduction and sources of data: This paper briefly outlines the history of research on the recently dead, before critically exploring
1. In what sense can we harm the dead?
2. What are the justificatory arguments for employing family or parental consent for medical research on dead relatives?
Areas of agreement, controversy, growing points of interest and areas timely for developing research: The controversy surrounding harm in relation to research on dead bodies largely depends on how dead people are perceived. That is,
1. As Cadavers
2. As Ante-mortem persons
3. By Significant others
Controversy over whether we need to have consent from significant others (bereaved relatives) depends on the weight we give to the bereaved and their experience of the dead. Understanding this is timely in developing research and is relevant to the issue of consent around organ donation for transplants.
Keywords: body snatching • Alder Hey and Bristol Public Inquiries • post-mortem harm • ante-mortem harm • parental and informed consent
Accepted for publication January 21, 2008.