I totally understand how you feel, but I think I disagree. After I'm dead, my body is of no use to me. I'm gone. Like Elvis, I will have "left the building". I'm not an ancient Egyptian and so I neither believe in the afterlife nor in my body being of use to me there. And bodies are definitely a boon to science and medicine; they help the living! What can be more uplifting than that?

However, if the body of a loved one who has passed away were to be treated without respect, it would upset me a lot.

So interesting, because I had the opposite response. Sure if I donate my body to "science" and it's critical in some sort of medical discovery that would be great, but reading the OP and seeing the author's fascination, learning, and engagement with the cadaver I thought, "Gosh, what a gift!"

I'd certainly be very happy knowing that my body brought such an experience to another individual, I certainly won't be using my body anymore at that point.

I wonder if, when signing up for donation, you can specify what kinds of "science" or interactions you prefer your body to be used for after dying.

Well don't donate your body to France [1]. Some witness even alleged the medical team played football with people heads.

[1] https://ca.movies.yahoo.com/french-academic-charged-over-mas...

I'm on the list to donate my body. Perhaps a medical student will gain just a little more insight or skill by practicing a technique on my body, and perhaps that will help them save or help a patient or two in the future. I hope so.

The thornier issue, having discussed my wishes with my family, is how it will affect them after I go.