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Show Many Human Organs Can Help Others Live The human body is a storehouse of human tissue valuable for transplantation, medical education, research and therapy. A PERSON willing to donate all or part of his body after death for one of these purposes is making a generous contribution to society. The American Medical Association As-sociation frequently is asked: "How can I leave my body to help others?" ACTUALLY, IT isn't difficult. dif-ficult. The Uniform Anatomical Ana-tomical Gift Act now adopted by all 50 states and the District Dis-trict of Columbia provides that any person 18 or over may donate all or part of his body after death for research, transplantation or placement in a tissue bank. The donor's wish may be expressed in a written ! document, often incorporated into his will. His intent should be made known to friends and relatives who will make certain cer-tain that his wishes are carried out. MANY individuals carry in wallet or purse a small card which states that the bearer wishes to make an anatomical gift after death. The donation is effective only after death. And the doctor who will handle the donated organ cannot be the one who pronounces death. No money can be exchanged in making an anatomical donation. Expenses 1 for funeral arrangements and ca re of the body after removal of tissues and organs are the responsibility of the d-Mior and his family. ORGANS ANDor bodies, are accepted on a need basis. No medical facility is obliged to accept an offered gift. . There may be periods in which the local medical school actually has a surplus of bodies for anatomy studies. And at other times there may be an acute shortage. Kidneys are routinely transplanted in more than 2,000 individuals each year and more could be used if they were available. Corneas of the eye may be transplanted transplant-ed to restore sight in many persons. MANY structural tissues, incl: ding bone, tendons! . heart valves, fibrous tissues that cover the muscles, and cartilage have been transplanted with success. : These tissues can be stored until needed. |
