In a series investigating the use of unclaimed bodies for medical research, members of Congress, Reps. Jasmine Crockett and Marc Veasey from Texas, are pushing for answers and compensation for families after it was revealed that bodies were provided to the University of North Texas Health Science Center without consent. The bodies were dissected and leased out for research without notifying the deceased’s next of kin. There were cases where reachable family members were never informed about the use of their relatives’ bodies, causing shock and horror. The lawmakers also highlighted the case of Victor Honey, an Army veteran whose body was used by medical technology companies and the Army without his family’s knowledge. The failure to notify families not only deprived them of their rights but also raised concerns about the diligent inquiry requirement set by state law.
The Dallas and Tarrant medical examiner’s offices did not respond to requests for comment, while the Health Science Center declined to comment. Due to the investigation, the Health Science Center suspended its body donation program, fired those responsible, and hired a consulting firm to investigate its operations. Tarrant County adopted a new policy for finding next of kin more rigorously. However, the lawmakers believe that more needs to be done to prevent similar incidents and ensure proper safeguards are in place. They have asked the medical examiners to provide answers to their questions by November 30, including how they handle unclaimed bodies, especially veterans, and if they plan to provide restitution to families who were not properly notified.
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