ERIC Number: EJ1493304
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2026-Jan
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1935-9772
EISSN: EISSN-1935-9780
Available Date: 2025-10-12
Click to Consent? Ethical and Legal Reflections on the Use of Electronic Informed Consent for Whole-Body Donation, with Türkiye as a Case Study
Pelin Çavdar Lokumcu1; Ilke Ali Gürses2
Anatomical Sciences Education, v19 n1 p144-153 2026
The adoption of electronic informed consent (eIC) in health systems is expanding globally, yet its application in whole-body donation remains limited and underexplored. This article examines the ethical and legal dimensions of adopting eIC for body donation, with Türkiye serving as a case study. We discuss the potential benefits of eIC, including broader donor reach, improved comprehension of consent content, flexible and personalized decision-making, and increased transparency through stakeholder engagement. Conversely, key concerns such as the digital divide, security vulnerabilities, and lack of institutional and legislative readiness are also addressed. Special attention is given to the needs of elderly donors, the dominant demographic in body donation, and donors with disabilities, and the importance of inclusive practices that do not exacerbate existing inequalities. While eIC could strengthen ethical principles like autonomy and beneficence, it also raises questions regarding justice and non-maleficence. Without clear regulatory frameworks and institutional commitment, premature implementation may undermine trust. Although Türkiye presents unique regulatory and cultural challenges, these issues are broadly relevant to donation systems worldwide. Therefore, a cautious, hybrid model that combines digital accessibility with traditional consent pathways, supported by legal and ethical oversight, is recommended.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Informed Consent, Human Body, Donors, Ethics, Legal Problems, Computer Oriented Programs, Older Adults, Disabilities, Inclusion, Justice, Information Security
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Turkey
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Department of Civil Law, Faculty of Law, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey; 2Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey

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