What future for dissection in courses of human topographical anatomy in universities in the UK?

In the United Kingdom most medical schools have traditionally included dissection as a major component of their anatomy courses. There is a dearth of substantive literature which can be used to demonstrate the educational values of dissection, although many authors have expressed opinions. Current scrutiny of the role of dissection has been prompted by many influences acting on medical schools in the UK, including changes in the medical curriculum promoted by the General Medical Council, changes in the mechanisms of funding for universities and their courses, and the introduction of research assessments and appraisal of teaching. It is probable that in the UK dissection will continue to decline but that its reduced role will be prompted by the interactions of many complicated processes, only some of which will be educationally driven.