Dr. Claudia Surjadjaja, DDS, MSc, DrPH ALERTAsia Foundation, Eijkman Institute of Molecular Biology Experts Meeting, Tropen Museum, 17 December 2010 Ethical Perspectives on Re- study of Human Remains Rights of the dead vs. scientific needs of the living
Ethical Perspectives on Re-study of Human Remains Rights of the dead vs. scientific needs of the living. Dr. Claudia Surjadjaja, DDS, MSc, DrPH ALERTAsia Foundation, Eijkman Institute of Molecular Biology Experts Meeting, Tropen Museum, 17 December 2010. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Dr. Claudia Surjadjaja, DDS, MSc, DrPHALERTAsia Foundation, Eijkman Institute of Molecular BiologyExperts Meeting, Tropen Museum, 17 December 2010
Ethical Perspectives on Re-study of Human RemainsRights of the dead vs. scientific needs of the living
Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology
government funded institution
mission: molecular biology & biotech related basic research
est. 1886 as research lab for pathology and bacteriology
1st director Christiaan Eijkman
1965 closed, re-opened 1995
human genome diversity
genetic resource from many ethnic populations
basis for discovery of genes linked to diseases
Pan-Asian SNP Initiative of DNA barcode tracking
mapping biodiversity & disease
human DNA, pathogen DNA, ancient DNA
Research Activities
60 boxes of osteological specimens (skulls, fragments)
12 boxes of wet specimens (mostly foetus)
collected between 1800 to early 1900
entire archipelago, then Nederlands Oost–Indië (NOI)
until 1960 used for physical anthropology study
loaned to the medical institute for 3 decades
forgotten
“Indonesian” Human Remains in Tropen Museum
6 years ago found and returned to the museum
documented and categorized
2007 discussions with experts, a report produced
unclaimed, less scientific value, space problem (Category C)
museum, through KITLV, contacted Eijkman Institute
discussion in May 2007, especially focused on remains of “Japanese” soldiers found in Biak, Papua
“Indonesian” Human Remains in Tropen Museum
Collections and Issues to Re-study
Three categories:1. “Japanese” soldiers found in Biak, Papua2. Remains from community cemetery in Surabaya3. Other remains from all over the archipelago
Medico-legal and ethical issues:- “Permission” to re-study the remains: who owns the
remains?- Repatriation: is this morally just? what are the bases?- Indonesia: play what role? who plays a role? What
consideration to Indonesian ethics?
Types of collection and issues to re-study
Study aim:investigate dynamic cultural ethics in treating HR
Specific objectives: 1. Document prevailing attitudes and debates, especially in
Indonesian context2. Analyze current global ethics on scientific study and
repatriation of human remains3. Assess the extent to which policy exists (mostly on
legality and ethics)4. Assess the likelihood for developing an Indonesian CoE
Conceptual Framework
beliefs/religious
perspectives
scientific/medical
perspectives
human value/moral
perspectives
Specific Objectives
Research questions
1. Beliefs/religious perspectives
1. Beliefs/religious perspectives
Islam: where one dies is where one should be buried, human body is sacred even after death. “Breaking the bone of a dead person is similar (in sin) to breaking the bone of a living person” (Sunan Abu Dawud, SunanIbnMajah, and Musnad Ahmad).
Hindu and Buddhist: cremation is more than disposing of the body, it symbolizes a sense of detachment, the soul is set free from bondage
Christian: burial versus cremation, resurrection of bodies at the end times
value of HR in scientific study not archeological research benefitting the living by studying past health diseases evolve as do all organisms what we can do TODAY to have better health & improve
our lives disagreement: information from HR provides insights that
can only be obtained from HR rationalist science-based view Tiffany Jenkins (2003): “…the return of HR to indigenous
communities is not just an assault on scientific research, but a faltering belief in human progress itself”
2. Science/Medical Perspectives
I certainly wouldn’t dig up my own mother. Well, I would if her graveyard was going to be destroyed. For scientific curiosity? Certainly wouldn’t do that. Oh, the body needed to be exhumed for use as evidence? OK, I would. What? It’s not only about excavation but about storage and display? Absolutely wouldn’t, even if the bones would be returned to the ground after use. Well, … unless they served some useful education purpose, e.g. better scientific analysis, new cure for cancer, etc, I would.
the dead is a means to the living your end is my beginning? human remains are not neutral objects sanctity of human body, what constitutes respectful