TOKYO -- The Japanese Association of Anatomists (JAA) and two other organizations have set ethical guidelines for students and doctors in the country to observe regarding human bodies donated for medical education and research.

The move comes after a cosmetic surgeon stirred controversy after posting photos from anatomy training on social media in late 2024. The guidelines specifically prohibit disseminating such information via social media and other platforms.

The guidelines were jointly formulated by the JAA, the Tokushi Kaibo Zenkoku Rengokai (National Confederation of Anatomy Body Donation), which comprises universities and other entities, and the Nihon Tokushi Kentai Kyokai (Japan Body Donation Association). The guidelines were set to be reported at a general assembly of the JAA and other groups to be convened in the city of Chiba on March 17.

"Body donation" is to donate one's corpse to university medical and dental faculties. The donated bodies are used in anatomy training for students, improving doctors' skills and for the study of human bodies. Donation is conditional on the donor's will and their family's consent.

In recent years, however, there have been a spate of cases where images of human bodies and specimens were posted online for purposes other than education and research amid the widespread use of smartphones and social media. In December 2024, a physician at a cosmetic surgery clinic posted photos including one in which she gave a peace sign with a donated body in the background during dissection training in Guam, sparking a storm of criticism. She later apologized, stating, "I made a post that lacked ethics."

A code of conduct is specified in the ethical guidelines, including not bringing smartphones and other gadgets into the laboratories and refraining from talking about dissection of donated bodies in the presence of third parties.

Tatsuo Sakai, president of the Nihon Tokushi Kentai Kyokai, who was involved in the formulation of the guidelines, explained, "Previously, there have been recommendations urging universities and other educators to ensure the observance of confidentiality obligations in the anatomy of donated bodies and give internet literacy education, but the latest rules are ethical guidelines setting forth the code of conduct for students, doctors and other learners to observe."

(Japanese original by Mai Suganuma, Lifestyle, Science & Environment News Department)