Original paper
Can we create ethnically diverse skeletal collection from donated bodies?
Weiss, Elizabeth
Anthropologischer Anzeiger Volume 72 No. 1 (2015), p. 43 - 53
published: Jan 1, 2015
DOI: 10.1127/anthranz/2014/0433
ArtNo. ESP140007201003, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
Understanding bone health is least invasively and most effectively done through studying skeletal remains that reflect the living populations who will benefit from the knowledge produced through research. Donated body collections that accurately represent modern populations are needed for osteological insights to be applied to clinical practices. However, even though the US is growing increasingly diverse, donated body collections still suffer from a lack of ethnic diversity. Most individuals who donate their whole-bodies after death are European-American. Reasons for a lack of ethnic diversity stem from past injustices and present religious norms. Increasing body donation among minorities in the US and abroad may be difficult.
Keywords
body donations • religion • racism • diversity • autopsy collections