Lack of Corpses for Teaching and Research

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to address the importance of providing unclaimed corpses and cadavers donated for use in studies, focusing on the training of health professionals, the improvement of professionals already trained in this area and the advance of research, mainly in surgical techniques, in the scope of educational and research institutions, both public and private. It seems unanimous, among the authors who deal with the matter, the view that the use of corpses is irreplaceable in technical training and professional development. There is, however, a lack of the material in question, which in turn is due to a series of difficulties raised here, such as the lack of regulation centers that manage the flow of capture and distribution of cadavers and the decrease in the number of unclaimed corpses. The following problem is thus defined: on the one hand, there is a clear need to obtain human remains for basic education in the health area – fundamentally in the disciplines of Anatomy – for the improvement of professionals in this area and for research – such as the disciplines of surgical techniques –; on the other hand, the lack of cadaveric material is evident, a fact that, by consequence, has been compromising the final quality of health services, especially those of surgical nature. A bibliographic survey was carried out aiming to know the state of the art on the current legislation and on the Bills currently submitted to the National Congress. It was found that, despite the existence of legislation concerning this matter, it is necessary to have legislative-normative improvement to encompass the several demands, including those of the emerging technologies. The legislative process is very slow, taking into account the need indicated here, considering the significant increase in the number of courses in the health area. It is necessary, therefore, that urgent measures be taken to supply the needs in the area, which must necessarily take place through legal and regulatory norms.