Madam, – Muiris Houston’s opinion piece on the Bodies exhibition (January 23rd) was timely and to the point. Ireland’s painful experience with the retained organs controversy should have sensitised the public to the need for ethical and respectful approaches to the human body both in life and after death, and to the importance of informed consent throughout the lifespan.
In particular, it is unthinkable that Irish schools would in any way be involved with this exhibition if there is not comprehensive and conclusive evidence of free and informed consent during life for the donation of the bodies for the specific purpose of the exhibition.
It is also worth noting that the life sciences are a key element of Irish industrial strategy. It is vitally important that we can show to ourselves and the world that this strategy, which can raise many important ethical issues, is accompanied by the development of an appropriate ethical discourse in public and academic life, and an intolerance for deviation from sensitive and respectful treatment of the human body. – Yours, etc,