The Texas medical school receives thousands of unclaimed bodies, releases 1,800 names

The University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth has been using unclaimed bodies for medical research, with bodies being either cremated or embalmed and used for training future medical professionals or leased out to various institutions and companies. This practice has saved local taxpayers money on burial costs and provided specimens for medical advancements. However, after an NBC News investigation revealed that several families were not informed about the use of their missing relatives’ bodies, the Health Science Center has stopped using unclaimed bodies, fired officials in charge of the program, and apologized to affected families. Several more families have come forward with similar stories, expressing shock and sadness at the thought of their loved ones’ bodies being studied and dissected without consent. In an effort to help families find closure, NBC News has published the names of over 1,800 people whose bodies were donated to the Health Science Center by Dallas and Tarrant counties. This information was obtained through open records requests from county medical examiners. The controversy surrounding the use of unclaimed bodies for research highlights the importance of transparency and consent in such practices.

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