In a bold move to uphold the dignity of every Texan, State Representative Parker, a Republican representing parts of Dallas and Tarrant counties, emphasized the importance of families having the final say in handling their loved ones’ remains. He stated, “No family should fear that their loved ones’ remains could be taken, dismembered, and utilized without notifying next of kin. This legislation ensures that such practices are put to an end, reaffirming Texas law’s commitment to ethical standards and individual dignity.”
Following investigative reporting by NBC News, significant changes were triggered: The Health Science Center suspended its body donation program, dismissed key officials, and ceased accepting unclaimed bodies. Additionally, major companies in the medical and research fields, including Boston Scientific and the Army, pledged to review their affiliations with the institution to prevent the use of unclaimed bodies in the future. In response, Congressional members sought clarification, and Tarrant County officials implemented a policy to ensure respectful treatment of unclaimed bodies.
The investigative reports also provided closure to families who were previously unaware of their loved ones’ fate. For instance, Tim Leggett discovered, through NBC News, the circumstances of his brother Dale’s passing. Dale’s body, unbeknownst to Leggett, was sent out of state by the Health Science Center to a for-profit medical education company. Leggett commended Parker’s initiative to prohibit such practices, emphasizing the importance of ethical treatment of the deceased.
Reflecting on his ordeal, Leggett remarked, “There is a fundamental distinction between right and wrong in how we handle one another, both in life and in death.” He expressed gratitude for the bill, recognizing it as a crucial step to prevent similar incidents from befalling other families.
Furthermore, Kimberly Patman, who learned from NBC News about her ex-husband Victor Honey’s body being dissected and leased out, voiced her support for Parker’s bill. Patman, whose ex-husband, a homeless Army veteran struggling with mental health issues, passed away in 2022 without family notification, found solace in the legislation’s aim to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The proposed bill by Parker seeks to prohibit the donation of unclaimed bodies to medical schools or private brokers unless explicit consent was given by the deceased individual prior to their passing.
With permission from next of kin, the proposed measure would aim to prevent a recurrence of the controversial actions taken by the Health Science Center. If adopted, Texas would join a select group of states in explicitly prohibiting research on unclaimed individuals – those whose families are unable to cover funeral costs or cannot be located. While this practice is permissible in many states, it is increasingly seen as morally questionable by anatomists and leaders within the body donation sector, who advocate for treating the deceased with the same respect as living patients.
Authorities in North Texas defended the transfer of unclaimed bodies to the Health Science Center by citing cost savings for local governments, educational benefits for students and medical professionals, and support for critical research. However, investigations revealed that medical examiner’s offices in Dallas and Tarrant counties, as well as staff at the Health Science Center, neglected to make adequate efforts to reach out to reachable relatives before classifying the bodies as unclaimed.
Following an in-depth analysis, it was discovered that around 2,350 unclaimed bodies had been sent to the Health Science Center from Dallas and Tarrant counties since 2019. Over 830 of these bodies, promoted as having superior quality for research, were selected for dissection and study, with the center charging fees to medical device and training companies for various body parts. The body trade generated approximately $2.5 million annually for the center.
Among the deceased were individuals from diverse backgrounds, including veterans, those battling addiction and mental health issues, and a young homicide victim. While some had lost touch with their families, relatives expressed love and sorrow for their lost ones, stating they would have claimed the bodies if informed of their passing.
Upon being informed of these discoveries, the Health Science Center extended condolences to affected families and acknowledged the deficiencies exposed by the investigation. As a response, Parker’s bill, subject to potential adjustments during the legislative process, will undergo further deliberation in a Texas Senate committee. Efforts are underway to introduce a complementary bill in the Texas House, with bipartisan support being sought.
Eli Shupe, a bioethicist from the University of Texas at Arlington, lauded Parker’s bill as a significant step towards safeguarding bodies from exploitation. Shupe had been an early critic of the Health Science Center’s utilization of unclaimed bodies and highlighted that Texas could transition from a state known for ethical concerns to a role model for others to emulate.
“Very few states have legislation like this,” she stated. “We would be a real leader in the country.”
