Standardized statement for the ethical use of human cadaveric tissues in anatomy research papers: Recommendations from Anatomical Journal Editors-in-Chief

Human cadaveric donors are essential for research in the anatomical sciences. However, many research papers in the anatomical sciences often omit a statement regarding the ethical use of the donor cadavers or, as no current standardized versions exist, use language that is extremely varied. To rectify this issue, 22 editors-in-chief of anatomical journals, representing 17 different countries, developed standardized and simplified language that can be used by authors of studies that use human cadaveric tissues. The goal of these editor recommendations is to standardize the writing approach by which the ethical use of cadaveric donors is acknowledged in anatomical studies that use donor human cadavers. Such sections in anatomical papers will help elevate our discipline and promote standardized language use in others non anatomy journals and also other media outlets that use cadaveric tissues.

Automated summary

This article discusses the issue of the lack of ethical use statements or varied language used in anatomical research regarding donor cadavers. It introduces a set of standardized language developed by 22 editors-in-chief of anatomical journals, aiming to standardize how the ethical use of donor cadavers is acknowledged in studies using human cadaveric tissues.