LAST ‘WRITES’ – end-of-life decisions – part 6

ANATOMICAL DONATIONS – lengthy statute called REVISED UNIFORM ANATOMICAL GIFT ACT.  4 ways to make an anatomical gift:  (1) on driver’s license or ID card;  (2)  in donor’s last will and testament;  (3) statements addressed to at least 2 adult witnesses, one of whom is disinterested;  or (4)  statements or symbols signed by donor indicating an anatomical gift has been placed on a donor registry.  The statute prohibits a person from knowingly purchasing or selling body parts for transplantation or therapy.   However a reasonable charge can be made to remove, process, preserve, quality control, storage, transportation, implanting or disposal of an anatomical gift.  Complicated process so look at the statute carefully.