For five years, unclaimed bodies from Dallas and Tarrant counties were sent to the University of North Texas Health Science Center for medical research purposes. The bodies were assessed for usability, with those that were deemed unsuitable due to infectious diseases or decomposition being cremated. The remaining bodies were either embalmed, frozen, or used to train future medical professionals. Some were even cut into pieces and leased out to various entities, including medical schools and the U.S. Army.
Proponents of using unclaimed bodies for research argue that it is cost-effective and helps advance medical science. However, after an investigation revealed that families were not informed about the fate of their missing relatives, the Health Science Center stopped using unclaimed bodies, fired officials involved in the program, and apologized to affected families. Several more families came forward with similar stories, expressing shock and sadness at the thought of their loved ones’ bodies being dissected and used without consent.
In an effort to provide closure to these families, NBC News has published a database containing the names of over 1,800 people whose bodies were donated to the Health Science Center by Dallas and Tarrant counties. The information was obtained through open records requests from the county medical examiners. This situation has raised concerns about the ethical implications of using unclaimed bodies for research and the need for transparency and consent in such programs.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
