Many People Are Choosing To Donate Their Body To Science. Here’s Why
Published September 11th, 2019
We all know and we can’t deny that whole body donation can benefit all mankind. In fact, many people choose to donate their bodies to science.
Here are the reasons for some of the body donors that might motivate you in donating your body to science as well.
Helping Others Make Them Happy
For some reason, some of the body donors say that donating their bodies to science makes them happy. If whole body donation can benefit lots of people, then they’ll do it, without a doubt.
I guess some people really can find happiness by helping other people.
So how does donating your body to science help other people?
When you donate your body to science, you’re not only helping scientists to conduct experiments. You’re also helping the future generations to have an advanced world of medicine.
As of now, medical experts don’t have any cure yet for some diseases like HIV and Parkinson’s Disease. But with the help of body donors, nothing is impossible.
Through their donations, scientists will be able to conduct experiments to be able to find a cure.
For example, Susan Harbot, 65, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, decided to donate her brain to Science. According to her, Parkinson’s disease runs in her family. Out of the seven children of five generations, three of them have Parkinson’s.
Here’s what she said when she read about an organization that is conducting research particularly about Parkinson’s,
“I read about it in a magazine and I didn’t hesitate. I’m not a religious person. At the end of the day, it’s my decision and if it helps one person I’d be happy.”
They Prefer Their Bodies To Be Useful After They’re Gone
The usual motive of the body donors when they decide to sign-up for whole-body donation is that they don’t want their bodies to just go to waste. They want to be useful even if they’re long gone.
Isn’t it amazing knowing that even when you die, you can still be useful and be a part of something great?
Just like this body donor, Ed Sykes. He is a Science Communicator that works in neuroscience and mental health. Ed says,
“I’m not precious about my body. Once I’m dead, I’m dead. It’s either going to feed the worms or be cremated otherwise, so it makes sense to get some use out of it.”
Since he works in a medical field, he wants to help advance the field of medicine even after he dies. He added,
“I’m interested in leaving my brain to science. I know how significant brain research is going to be in the future… But I also know there’s a shortage of bodies for medical students and until we can recreate an entire body to dissect there’s no substitute for learning from the real thing.”
Just like every other medical expert, he knows how a body can help in the betterment of science. He then said,
“If it was possible I’d like to do both – leave my brain to brain research and the rest of my body to medicine.”
Fortunately, organ donation and a whole body donation from one person is absolutely possible. Now, Ed’s body can still be useful even if he dies.
An Extension Of Their Vocation
When you donate your body to science, thousands of people, or millions rather, can benefit from it. As mentioned, whole body donations help scientists find cures to incurable diseases. It can also help future generations have a progressed world of medicine.
But that’s doesn’t stop there. Whole body donation can help doctors and medical students have a better understanding of the human body.
They can practice their skills which can help us have great doctors and surgeons in the future. Remember, a human body is the best representation of the human anatomy.
Noel Jackson, 58, a former science teacher, says that he sees whole-body donation as an extension of his vocation. His family for at least three generations has given their bodies to science. That’s why even as a child, he always planned in donating his body to science once he dies. He says,
“When you are gone, you are gone. I’ve been a science teacher all my life and I’ll be a science teacher when I’m dead.”
So how does a donor becomes a teacher?
Again, you help doctors and medical students hone their skills and be a great doctor in the future. You’re like a silent teacher to them, offering your body so they can practice.
More Than Altruistic, It’s For Personal Benefits Too
Most of the time, people choose to donate their bodies to science so they can be useful after death and help others benefit from it. But some are motivated to donate their bodies to science for personal benefit.
You see, once you die, your family will have to spend money for your funeral or memorial service. But if you choose to donate your body to science, the organization where you signed up will take care of the cremation expenses.
Whether you want your cremated remains returned to your family or scattered at sea, it will be honored. Your family won’t be spending any money at all.
You not only saved humanity from diseases that can plague us. You also spared your family from spending money for your funeral.
There’s a lot of reason why people choose to donate their bodies to science. But whether it’s a selfless act or just for personal benefit, that’s fine. Either way, you’re helping medical science to have its breakthrough.
Interested In Our Company?
DonorCure is a company that connects body donors with the researchers who will use their contribution to further science and make the world a better place. Learn more about how to donate your body to science on our website and register online.
About The Author
As a nurse, Franchette Agatha Jardin firmly believes in the importance of understanding the human body and the advancement of science. She writes about what people can do for the betterment of the world and how everyone can be part of something great.
