Dealing With the Dead: The Use of Unclaimed Bodies in Medical Research
A Window into the Pressing Demand for Human Bodies
The story of how a major biotechnology company came to use the unclaimed dead offers a window into the pressing demand for human bodies — a crucial part of America’s $180 billion medical device industry, yet one that is poorly regulated and usually invisible to the public.
Using Unclaimed Bodies for Medical Research
Bodies are used in countless ways in the medical world — by doctors to hone surgical skills, by paramedics to practice lifesaving techniques, and by acupuncturists learning how organs interact. And before a new medical device is deployed in human clinical trials, biotech companies often use bodies as a test. Since 2019, at least 332 medical devices that received clearance by the Food and Drug Administration cited cadaveric studies to show they were safe, according to records compiled for NBC News by Bright Data, a web data collection company.
The Ethics of Using Unclaimed Bodies
Using unclaimed bodies for medical research is legal in much of the country, but is widely considered unethical because of the absence of consent; the unclaimed include people whose relatives could not be reached, as well as those who could not afford to make funeral arrangements.
The Case of Boston Scientific
In August, a single email triggered a chain of hand-wringing and strategizing inside one of America’s largest medical technology companies: A reporter asked Boston Scientific if the biotech giant realized one of its subsidiaries had received bodies for medical training with no consent from the dead or their families.
Boston Scientific’s Response
Company leaders fretted about how the revelation from NBC News would look to investors and debated how or even whether to answer, according to internal emails received through a public records request. The company had acquired the specimens from a Texas medical school for trainings on an innovative back pain procedure, but officials said they hadn’t known the bodies were unclaimed.
Conclusion
The use of unclaimed bodies for medical research is a complex issue, and the lack of transparency and regulation surrounding this practice is a pressing concern. While some companies are beginning to shift away from using unclaimed bodies, others are still using them, often without consent. It is crucial that we have a more open and honest discussion about the use of unclaimed bodies and the ethical implications of this practice.
FAQs
Q: Is using unclaimed bodies for medical research legal?
A: Yes, using unclaimed bodies for medical research is legal in much of the country, but it is widely considered unethical because of the absence of consent.
Q: How many medical devices have used cadaveric studies to show they were safe?
A: At least 332 medical devices that received clearance by the Food and Drug Administration cited cadaveric studies to show they were safe, according to records compiled for NBC News by Bright Data, a web data collection company.
Q: Have any medical device companies stopped using unclaimed bodies for research?
A: Yes, some companies have stopped using unclaimed bodies for research, citing ethical concerns and the need for more transparent and regulated practices.
Q: What are the ethical implications of using unclaimed bodies for medical research?
A: The use of unclaimed bodies for medical research raises ethical concerns about consent, privacy, and the treatment of the dead and their families.
