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International Journal of Law And Criminology

Peer Reviewed | Open Access | E-ISSN: 2771-2214
Published Article

An Ethical and Juridical Analysis of the Unlawful Treatment of Cadavers in Indonesian Medical Education

An Ethical and Juridical Analysis of the Unlawful Treatment of Cadavers in Indonesian Medical Education

Authors

  • Prof. Sofia Hasan
    Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Keywords:

Cadaver Medical Education Legal Analysis

Abstract

Background: The use of human cadavers is an indispensable component of anatomical education for medical students. However, this practice is fraught with complex ethical and legal challenges, particularly concerning the dignity of the deceased and the lawfulness of sourcing and handling cadavers. In Indonesia, the legal framework governing the use of cadavers for educational purposes remains ambiguous, creating a potential conflict between scientific advancement and fundamental human rights.

Objective: This study aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the legal and ethical dimensions surrounding the treatment of cadavers in Indonesian medical education. It specifically investigates the concept of wederrechtelijk (unlawfulness) in relation to the sourcing and use of cadavers, examining the adequacy of existing legal protections and ethical guidelines.

Methods: This research employs a normative legal research methodology. It analyzes primary legal materials, including the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP), Law No. 1 of 2023, the 1945 Constitution, and relevant Supreme Court and District Court decisions. Secondary data includes academic literature, legal philosophy texts, and human rights declarations. The analysis is approached from the perspectives of legal certainty, Kantian moral philosophy, and universal human rights principles.

Results: The findings reveal significant legal voids and inconsistencies in Indonesian regulations regarding cadavers for scientific use. The current Criminal Code lacks specific provisions that adequately protect the dignity of the deceased in an educational context, leading to potential unlawfulness in practice. Philosophical analysis underscores a moral imperative to treat cadavers with respect as ends in themselves, a principle not fully reflected in current medico-legal practices. Furthermore, the handling of cadavers often falls short of the standards implied by universal human rights declarations concerning human dignity.

Conclusion: The treatment of cadavers in Indonesian medical education operates in a state of legal uncertainty that fails to provide adequate protection against unlawful or unethical acts. There is an urgent need for legal reform to establish clear, rights-based regulations for the procurement, use, and final disposition of cadavers, ensuring that scientific pursuits do not infringe upon fundamental principles of human dignity and legal certainty.

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