Who can give permission for anatomical gifts if an individual has not indicated their wishes?

The correct answer is that the deceased individual's closest living relative or authorized person can grant permission for anatomical gifts when the individual has not previously indicated their wishes. This is consistent with laws governing anatomical donations, which often prioritize the decisions made by next of kin if the deceased did not leave explicit instructions.

In these situations, the law typically designates a hierarchy among family members or individuals who have been given the legal authority to make such decisions. This approach ensures that a decision is made by someone who is likely to honor the values and preferences of the deceased, even if those preferences were not formally documented. The involvement of a close living relative or an authorized person helps to facilitate the donation process in a respectful and lawful manner.

Other options, such as allowing any family member, the hospital administrator, or the attending physician to decide, do not reflect the legal structure typically found in anatomical gift laws. For instance, allowing just any family member could lead to conflicts and misunderstandings, while designating a hospital administrator or attending physician to make this decision may overlook the personal and familial context that is crucial in such sensitive matters.