To the Editor: The concepts presented by Coman and colleagues1 parallel international trends within anatomical societies, where attitudes on human remains used for educational purposes are under scrutiny.2 Illuminating issues around legacy collections, and pressing for further clarity, transparency and appropriate cultural and ethical solutions, is important for the proper treatment of these precious resources. It is also necessary given recent events that have raised concerns within the public about how human remains and anatomical collections are treated under the guise of education.3 We strongly support the points made by Coman et al around development of repatriation policies for privately held bones, but we respectfully suggest additional considerations.
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- 1. Coman J, Craig SS, Kelly AM. Skeletons in the closet: time to give human bones acquired by health practitioners for educational purposes the respect they deserve. Med J Aust 2022; 216: 392‐396. https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2022/216/8/skeletons‐closet‐time‐give‐human‐bones‐acquired‐health‐practitioners‐educational
- 2. American Association of Anatomy. AAA releases statement on ethical use of human tissues. Newswise 2021; 20 May. https://www.newswise.com/articles/aaa‐releases‐statement‐on‐ethical‐use‐of‐human‐tissues (viewed May 2021).
- 3. Associated Press. Death Science calls cadaver’s public dissection educational. ABC News 2021; 6 Nov. https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/death‐science‐calls‐cadavers‐public‐dissection‐educational‐80999161 (viewed Nov 2021).
- 4. Stephan CN, Caple JM, Veprek A, et al. Complexities and remedies of unknown‐provenance osteology. In: Štrkalj G, Pather N; editors. Commemorations and memorials: exploring the human face of anatomy, 1st ed. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing, 2017; pp. 65‐95.
- 5. Hildebrandt S. Books, bones and bodies: the relevance of the history of anatomy in Nazi Germany for medical education today. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2022; 305: 886‐901.
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