A Texas medical school suspended its body donation program, major biotech companies responded and lawmakers called for accountability.The revelation that a Texas medical school was routinely dissecting the bodies of unclaimed people and leasing them out to for-profit medical device companies for training and research drew a rapid and far-reaching response.
“As a result of the information brought to light through your inquiries, it has become clear that failures existed in the management and oversight of The University of North Texas Health Science Center’s Willed Body Program,” the center said in a statement. Separately, Terrence Hayes, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, offered condolences to the family of Victor Honey, a homeless veteran whose body was cut up and leased out to medical device companies and the Army without his consent or his relatives’ knowledge.
Tarrant County commissioners adopted a policy meant to ensure unclaimed bodies are treated with dignity. Dallas County leaders said they also planned to review policies for handling unclaimed bodies.plans to introduce a bill Texas State Sen. Tan Parker pledged to outlaw the use of unclaimed bodies in Texas. The Texas Funeral Service Commission, which regulates body donation programs in the state, said it was conducting a review as well.