17th February 2009, 02:19 PM
Hi Dave,
Bones cannot be recorded on a database. Certain characteristics of bones (e.g. length, maximum circumference, bicondylar breadth etc) are recorded on a database during bone analysis as a matter of course. But plenty of other information -measurements, chemical analysis, C-14, aDNA, isotopes- to name a few for starters- won't be possible without the bones themselves, plus any future ones.
Medical students still use real skeletons. Plastic models are increasingly used for teaching gross anatomy ("this is a femur, look how it is different from a humerus"). Plastic models have their place as a reference and teaching guide. But you can't use them to replace the real thing.
As to the references to Alder Hey and the Maoris, they are both situations that are very different from the situation with archaeological bone from British sites. Regarding Alder Hey, there is no way of tracing an archaeological skellys' family to request consent for retention of remains. Regarding the Maori, the issue there is also one of family but also of group identity- there is the issue of the colonizers coming in and digging up the remains of the colonized.
So the issue about full respect is a tough and personal one. Personally, I would like to see my body be used to benefit mankind, and am not too bothered how - if this means being dissected by spotty medical students then so be it. I'm not going to be around to complain. I can appreciate that people have strong personal feelings about human bone as opposed to other material- it's natural. Respectful treatment of human bone to me means appreciating its future potential as well its special status as the remains of a former person. So no horseplay, no joking around, no needless destruction.
?He who seeks vengeance must dig two graves: one for his enemy and one for himself?
Chinese Proverb
Bones cannot be recorded on a database. Certain characteristics of bones (e.g. length, maximum circumference, bicondylar breadth etc) are recorded on a database during bone analysis as a matter of course. But plenty of other information -measurements, chemical analysis, C-14, aDNA, isotopes- to name a few for starters- won't be possible without the bones themselves, plus any future ones.
Medical students still use real skeletons. Plastic models are increasingly used for teaching gross anatomy ("this is a femur, look how it is different from a humerus"). Plastic models have their place as a reference and teaching guide. But you can't use them to replace the real thing.
As to the references to Alder Hey and the Maoris, they are both situations that are very different from the situation with archaeological bone from British sites. Regarding Alder Hey, there is no way of tracing an archaeological skellys' family to request consent for retention of remains. Regarding the Maori, the issue there is also one of family but also of group identity- there is the issue of the colonizers coming in and digging up the remains of the colonized.
So the issue about full respect is a tough and personal one. Personally, I would like to see my body be used to benefit mankind, and am not too bothered how - if this means being dissected by spotty medical students then so be it. I'm not going to be around to complain. I can appreciate that people have strong personal feelings about human bone as opposed to other material- it's natural. Respectful treatment of human bone to me means appreciating its future potential as well its special status as the remains of a former person. So no horseplay, no joking around, no needless destruction.
?He who seeks vengeance must dig two graves: one for his enemy and one for himself?
Chinese Proverb