The trade in US body parts that's legal – but ripe for exploitation
10 days ago
- #medical-ethics
- #body-brokering
- #US-regulation
- Harold Dillard's body was donated to medical science but was mishandled by Bio Care, a body broker.
- Body brokers are private companies that acquire, dissect, and sell human body parts for profit, often to medical research centers.
- The US lacks strict regulations on body brokering, leading to ethical concerns and exploitation.
- Body donation is essential for medical research and training, but the for-profit trade raises moral questions.
- Some body brokers have been accused of disrespecting the dead and exploiting grieving families.
- The US exports cadavers globally due to loose regulations, filling gaps in countries with donation shortages.
- Horror stories include bodies being dismembered with chainsaws and ashes being mishandled.
- Universities and medical schools rely on body donations for education and research, often without profit motives.
- VR technology may eventually reduce the need for cadavers in medical training, but it's not yet advanced enough.
- Calls for stricter regulations in the US to prevent exploitation and ensure dignified treatment of donated bodies.