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Articles
  • OpenAccess
  • Cell Biology and Ethics: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Anatomists in India  [CACB 2015]
  • DOI: 10.4236/jbm.2015.33010   PP.66 - 72
  • Author(s)
  • Mangala Kohli, Reeha Mahajan, Payal Bansal, Anita Tuli, P. A. Athira
  • ABSTRACT
  • Most scientific discoveries and advancements have occurred in the world in the last century. Both developed and developing countries are the beneficiaries of the new scientific knowledge and its application. Advanced knowledge and the ethical issues are inseparable from research, treatment, prophylaxis and prevention involving human diseases. It is necessary to make well informed decisions about acceptance of advancements that have taken place elsewhere and also prepare systems for our research and medical education. Bioethics therefore needs to be grounded in the local socio cultural context and health care systems. Students make first contact with human biological tissue in the Anatomy department. The seeds of ethical practices and professionalism are sown here. Therefore appropriate knowledge and attitudes of anatomists and cell biologists towards human tissue is important for regular practice of medicine. A questionnaire based study of knowledge and attitudes of 300 anatomy faculty related to use of human biological materials in research and education was conducted. The items included in the questionnaire were to judge the awareness about the same i.e., laboratory handling of human material and research related to corpses, organ & whole body donation along with their use in clinical learning and research in various medical specialties like, orthopedics, surgery, ENT, anesthesia etc. for clinicians, physicians and surgeons as well as undergraduate, post graduate and allied workforce teaching. The data collected from the respondents in the form of positive and negative responses was analyzed. The study identifies the knowledge gaps and the perceptions of faculty regarding the scope and utility of understanding the role of human biological tissues in curriculum and research and transmission of message to the next generation of learners.

  • KEYWORDS
  • Cell Biology and Ethics: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Anatomists in India
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