"Purpose to Help National Health"
"Anatomy Professor Observational Training Format"
"Compliance with Ethical Education Including Courtesy Sharing"
Recently, controversy erupted online over the 'Cadaver' anatomy class conducted by the Catholic University Institute of Biomedical Industry Research. ('Cadaver' refers to bodies donated for anatomical research purposes.)
The issue centered on the target audience of the class. The class was conducted for exercise instructors such as health trainers and fitness coaches, but criticism arose that cadavers donated for medical research and education were being used inappropriately. Additionally, terms like "well-preserved cadaver" and "fresh cadaver" appearing on the student recruitment website also sparked controversy. However, the education organizer explained that the issue arose from a misunderstanding.
60,000 KRW Tuition for Exercise Instructors... 'Cadaver Class' Sparks Controversy
On the 9th, promotional photos for an anatomy lecture were posted on various online communities and social networking services (SNS). The photos introduced an anatomy class scheduled for the 23rd. The target audience was exercise instructors, and the tuition fee was 600,000 KRW. The phrase "A class conducted directly from start to finish by a current anatomist at Catholic University St. Mary's Hospital, equipped with the nation's top-level cadaver practice facilities" was also included.
Some argued that bodies donated for the training and research of medical professionals were being used for lectures aimed at non-medical personnel. Some netizens also criticized the reviews of the class.
Reviews posted on the website included phrases such as "Muscles are dissected live on an actual human body," "Well-preserved cadaver," and "How many trainers and instructors have experienced hands-on cadaver practice?" These were claimed to be insulting to the donors who gave their bodies for public benefit. One netizen strongly criticized, using profanity, calling them "inhumane trash" and demanding public discussion.
Company Says "Not for Profit... Operated at Minimum Cost Needed for Education"
The class was jointly organized by the private company 'Healience Lab' Academy and the Catholic Applied Anatomy Research Institute. A Healience Lab representative told Asia Economy, "The company recruits students, and the lectures are conducted by the Catholic Applied Anatomy Research Institute," adding, "This lecture is not for profit and is conducted with the purpose of ultimately contributing to public health improvement through solid education in sports medicine and exercise instruction."
Regarding the 600,000 KRW tuition fee, which was pointed out as the cause of the cadaver commercialization controversy, they explained, "It is operated only at the minimum cost necessary for facilities, cadavers, and education conducted at the Catholic University College of Medicine."
The class is said to be a form of "observational education" conducted under the guidance of an actual anatomy professor. The company stated, "It is conducted in a serious atmosphere, similar to medical students' dissection practice," and "Ethics education applied in dissection practice sites, including sharing respect for the bodies, is observed." They also added, "Cadaver classes are also being conducted at other domestic institutions (such as the Korea Applied Medical Science Association)."
The term "fresh" appearing in the student recruitment announcement is known to be a value-neutral term used in medical settings to refer to bodies not treated with formaldehyde. However, the company apologized, saying, "We believe there was a problem with the context in which the term was used, and we apologize for not showing more careful and respectful courtesy toward the bodies and the donors."
Strict Qualifications for Dissection Practitioners but No Restrictions on Observers
The advertisement for Healience Lab's anatomy lecture has been removed from the website.
Under the current Human Cadaver Dissection Act, those permitted to perform dissections are defined as "doctors with considerable knowledge and experience," "professors of anatomy, pathology, or forensic medicine at medical schools, or students under their supervision," among others. It also lists cases where dissection is ordered to determine cause of death or under criminal procedure law or quarantine law.
According to 'Yonhap News' on the 10th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that there appears to be no illegal content related to the company's lecture. The ministry explained that while qualifications to participate in dissection itself are strictly limited, there are no restrictions on mere observation.
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