What is donation for research and education?
While donation of organs for transplantation is generally well known and widely accepted, research donation is an option that people willing to donate should not overlook. Scientists need donated human organs and tissue for important research leading to treatment and cure for many types of disease. Medical education requires a sure supply of human tissue for use in the training of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
What organs and tissue can be donated
for research and education?
The need for specific organs and tissue is determined by current research and education programs but in general virtually every system of the human body has potential use by medical investigators and in teaching institutions.
Does donation for research and
education compete with transplant donation?
Organ and tissue transplants take precedence over any other need. The circumstances of death and the medical history of the donor, however, may determine suitability for transplantation. Research/education donation provides a viable option for willing donors and donor families when transplantation is not available to them.
Can I be both a transplant donor and a research donor?
Yes. If you sign an informed consent document for both, those responsible for recovering and placing your organs for transplantation will make every effort to see that your wishes with regard to research are fulfilled. This also applies to a donor family making arrangements for a loved one.
How important is donation for research?
It's crucial. Everyone understands that a single organ donation can save a life. The benefits of research donation are equally valuable. Medical researchers are working with donated organs and tissue to achieve breakthroughs in medicine saving and improving millions of lives.
Where do organs and tissue donated
for research and education go?
IIAM places donor organs and tissue on request with recognized academic, governmental, pharmaceutical and private research institutions, medical schools and health care training programs. All such recipients of donor tissue must complete an application/agreement and be approved by IIAM's Application Review Committee.
Who can donate?
Most people can donate for medical research and education. Age is not a barrier to research donation. Often times, neither is a donor's medical condition. In fact, a medical history that might make someone an unsuitable organ or tissue transplant donor may be the very thing a researcher is looking for to carry out important studies. Certain infectious diseases may rule out research donation. Contact an IIAM coordinator for more information.
Does IIAM accept whole-body donations?
IIAM's Gift of Body program accepts whole-body donations. Unlike many body donor programs administered by medical schools, IIAM's program requires no pre-registration. IIAM's Gift of Body program is available in Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada and Pennsylvania. Contact an IIAM coordinator for more information.
If I donate for medical research/education, is there any chance that my organs and tissue will be sold for profit?
The National Organ Transplant Act prohibits the sale of human organs and tissue. IIAM is a division of the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (MTF), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, and was created to offer donors the option of donating for medical research and education. That is the sole purpose of our existence. IIAM follows standards and regulations for ethical and legal treatment of donors and anatomical gifts that do not condone the selling of organs and tissue entrusted to us by donors and donor families.
Is there any cost for families considering
research/education donation?
There is no cost to the donor or donor family.
Does donation for research rule out
traditional funeral arrangements?
No. Organ and tissue donation for research may delay the transfer of a donor's body to the funeral home by no more than a few hours at most but will not interfere with funeral arrangements beyond this time. Furthermore, open casket services are not necessarily ruled out by donation. However, the same is not true for Gift of Body donation. Many families still hold a memorial and/or funeral services after these donations.
How can I donate for research and education?
Signing a donor card, informing your physician, or making a living will are ways of indicating your wish to donate. Be sure to share your decision to donate with your family and friends. After all, the final decision to donate may rest with your next-of-kin.
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