There were only 49 bodies donated to Guangzhou medical institutions during the past five years, far from enough to meet the city's medical study needs.

The figure, released at a Guangzhou Red Cross meeting, was provided by the academies of medical science in Zhongshan, Ji'nan and Nanfang universities, and the First Military Medical University.

Other medical institutes in Guangzhou have already canceled courses in anatomy, because of the shortage of bodies for medical research.

Professor Xu Jie from the Zhongshan University said they needed at least 100 bodies a year for teaching and medical research. Many students now learn anatomy only by watching videos rather than through practice in the laboratory.

He said some universities used animal bodies in place of human bodies for laboratory practice.

Professor Hong Yaowen from Zhongshan University said the situation was worrying.

Experts said that students' lack of dissection experience could lead to terrible medical accidents in future.

Traditional Chinese prefer to die with an intact body and believe it would mean good fortune for themselves and their families.

(Shenzhen Daily March 15, 2005)