Autopsy or Not?
By worldwise1
@worldwise1 (14885)
United States
April 9, 2008 10:51am CST
This is a question I have often asked myself. Why would anyone want to undergo an autopsy following their death? I find the procedure distasteful and can't think of a good reason except in extreme cases-such as suspicion of murder. What is your opinion of autopsies? Would you give permission to be autopsied? I don't want anyone going into my body after I'm dead, and I've let my children know this.
17 people like this
13 responses
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
12 Apr 08
I shudder when I even think of it, TerryZ!
2 people like this
@jeanniemay (1798)
• Philippines
9 Apr 08
Ohh, yes, of course, why would someone use or make some additional medical practice on a body for no reason. I would not also want that.
Unless of course if it was just the way to solve some criminal act. Whatever my family thinks best for that body after I'm gone, it would be something of value.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
12 Apr 08
I wholeheartedly agree with you, jeanniemay.
1 person likes this
@eden32 (3973)
• United States
9 Apr 08
There are many good reasons autopsies are done. The most obvious, we can study disease, aging and the human body in ways that wouldn't be safe on living people. I'll let my family make the final decision, but I don't care what happens to my body after I am done with it.
2 people like this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
9 Apr 08
I, on the other hand, wouldn't mind going through an autopsy. If it could help medicine in any way, saving lives down the road, then do what you need to do. There is nothing that I can do with my body once my spirit leaves it, why not leave it to a good cause, so that others may live?
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
13 Apr 08
I can't be sure. I have faith in man, and I would hope that my organs would help someone, as I requested and made my family aware of, and that they would use my body to find a cure for whatever, if they so wanted. I know there are unscrupulous people out there that may use my body for other means, but again, what can I do about it. My body is important to me only while I am still in it. Whatever they do to my body after I am gone makes no difference. My body isn't me, its the place that houses me. And I wouldn't care what happened to my body once I have left it. I would want it to help some cause, but if it so happens that it doesn't, oh well.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
12 Apr 08
But, how can you be sure what they will do with it, drknlvly?
1 person likes this
@MommaOfAllTrades (969)
• Canada
9 Apr 08
I am absolutely PRO autopsy. My sister who had a perfectly healthy pregnancy gave birth to a baby with severe brain damage. She passed away three days later.
We all wanted to know WHY! Did the hospital mess up? What went wrong? We later found out that the baby lacked oxygen in the birth canal due to her cord being pinched during delivery. We also found out that the baby had an infection due to ... oh gosh I can't remember what it's called... a virus of some sort that some pregnant women can carry...
That was essential to know for any future pregnancies. My sister has had two more healthy babies and is planning another in the near future.
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
12 Apr 08
As I have stated, MOAT, there are certain cases where they can be helpful.
1 person likes this
@abbiebianca (84)
•
10 Apr 08
As far as i know, autopsy helps investigators solve crimes. If ever my body, in the future, will be needing to have an autopsy then i will let them do it.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
12 Apr 08
They sometimes perform them for other reasons, abbiebianca, but it's a personal choice.
@balasri (26537)
• India
26 Jun 08
Well I like this discussion because it reflects my feeling.I have always disliked autopsy and pity those poor murdered ones whose bodies are mutilated further on the autopsy tables.I hate autopsies especially after seeing the doctor in CSI dangling the charred , disfigured and out of shape organs in front of your eyes with that sadistic mirth.
@Ohara_1983 (4117)
• Kuwait
10 Apr 08
if i will die i will let them make autopsy to myself, you know why i need them to use my eyes or organ or what ever that can help anyone,so even im already in other word, i still give other another change to live or to see. so it will not be bothered to me the Autopsy.
1 person likes this
@mflower2053 (3223)
• United States
14 Apr 08
When my grandmother passed away 2 years ago we were not sure what really happen and wanted to know so they did do an autopsy on her. The results take a long time and when they did finally come in it just made us cry more to know what we thought was then confirmed. I want to be a donor I figure that I don't need it anymore and if it can help someone else live a longer life then let them have it. So I wouldn't mind them doing an autopsy on my body if they had to. I get chills thinking about it but I won't feel it then.
1 person likes this
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
24 Jun 08
If you die under suspicious circumstances you'll be autopsied. If you're going to donate your body you will most likely be cut into. It isn't like you'll know it or even care.
I'm seriously considering donating my body to the body farm myself. Take the grossness factor out and consider that it may help in solving crimes, I'm happy to do it.
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
1 Apr 11
Hi. worldwise1. Well I don't like talking about this sensitive subject. But, if I am no longer here, and something very bad has happened to me, I would want only certain people that I am fond of to view my autopsy results. I would not want just anyone to look at them. I pray that no one has to ever view my autopsy results if it it means of an extreme case.
