1,800 names released of unclaimed bodies sent to Texas medical school

For five years, unclaimed bodies from Dallas and Tarrant counties were sent to the University of North Texas Health Science Center for medical research. Bodies that were infected with diseases or decomposed were cremated, while the rest were embalmed, frozen, or used for training medical professionals. Some bodies were even cut into pieces and leased out to various institutions. This practice was defended as economically beneficial and necessary for medical advancement. However, after families discovered that their missing relatives had been used without consent, the Health Science Center stopped using unclaimed bodies, fired officials, and issued apologies. More families have since come forward with similar stories, expressing distress and sadness at the thought of their loved ones being studied and dissected across the country. In response, NBC News has published a database of over 1,800 people whose bodies were used by the Health Science Center, based on information obtained from the county medical examiners. This investigation sheds light on the controversial practice of using unclaimed bodies for research and the importance of transparency and consent in the donation process.

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