Horror as Scottish medical student FILMS dissection of body then puts the gory footage on social media: Pupil is expelled from university after probe
- The student was kicked off their course after an investigation by watchdog
- Neither government nor University of Dundee confirmed if reported to police
A student was expelled from university for posting footage of a corpse being dissected on social media.
A video of a human body that had been donated for medical science was shared online by a student in a gross violation of strict ethical rules.
Hundreds of Scots leave their bodies to medical science to help the next generation of doctors and scientists, with students able to practise surgery and study anatomy.
But it has now emerged that a body bequeathed to the University of Dundee was filmed by a student in a dissection class and posted for pals to watch.
The watchdog responsible for policing the strict rules about the use of dead bodies launched an investigation after the incident was reported.
His Majesty’s Inspector of Anatomy for Scotland (HMIAS) probed the ‘serious incident’ last year, but it was hushed up by the university and the authorities.
A video of a human body that had been donated for medical science was shared online by a student in a gross violation of strict ethical rules. Pictured: File photo
It has emerged that a body bequeathed to the University of Dundee (pictured) was filmed by a student in a dissection class and posted for pals to watch
The inspector, who reports to SNP ministers, only made a vague reference to the appalling behaviour in his annual report.
‘Dignity of deceased’ supposedly paramount
Scots who wish to leave their body for scientific research and medical training can donate it to five universities in Scotland – Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews.
Medical students in the UK have been allowed to dissect dead bodies for almost 200 years, with the Inspector of Anatomy for Scotland acting as a watchdog since 1832.
How they must treat a person’s body after death is strictly controlled, with guidance about ‘dignity and respect’ from the Human Tissue Authority, as well as in law under the Anatomy Act and Human Tissue (Scotland) Act. While alive and in a fit state of mind, donors must consent to how their body is used – meaning that someone who did not agree to have their lifeless body filmed or photographed must have their wishes respected.
The universities receiving donated bodies must have a named person responsible for ensuring the ‘dignity of deceased people is maintained at all times’ and that there are ‘systems in place to prevent the inappropriate use of images’, according to the code.
He wrote: ‘An investigation into the incident was carried out by me and the university in question and appropriate action taken.’
The SNP Government admitted the probe occurred because a student ‘uploaded a video of dissection activity to social media’.
A university spokesman confirmed the student was kicked off their course after an investigation but refused to disclose whether the family of the person in the video has been informed.
The university and ministers are now facing calls to reveal ‘how this scandal was handled’.
The student responsible for the breach of ethical standards, whose identity has not been revealed, is understood to have accepted that he acted inappropriately.
However, neither the Scottish Government nor the university would say whether the distressing case was reported to police.
Guidance from the Human Tissue Authority says ‘all parts of the body should be treated with respect and consideration’ and the university must ensure there are safeguards to ‘prevent the inappropriate use of images’.
Scottish Tory health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: ‘It’s vital we know how this scandal was handled. If the disciplinary action taken was appropriate, the full details should be disclosed.
‘Dissection is a crucial component of medical training. ‘But it needs to be approached with decorum and respect for the dignity of those who aid medical science by their donation.’
A University of Dundee spokesman said: ‘We are humbled and grateful when a person chooses to donate their body to support medical training and research. The conduct of the student in this instance was not in keeping with the values that we teach.
‘We will take decisive disciplinary action against any student who does not meet our expectations.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Public confidence in the body donor programme is essential for the education of healthcare professionals. The university took appropriate action as soon as staff were made aware.’
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