Dealing with Unclaimed Corpses at the University of North Texas Health Science Center

Overview of the Investigation into Unclaimed Bodies

Subject matter: Investigation into the unethical treatment of unclaimed bodies at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC).
Primary focus: The case of Victor Carl Honey, who served in the U.S. Army and whose body was used without family consent after his death.

Military Service: Joined the U.S. Army and served honorably for nearly a decade, stationed notably at Fort Hood, Texas.
Life Challenges: Experienced mental illness and homelessness in later years; died alone in 2022.
Death: Died due to heart failure; entitlement to military burial honors neglected after death.

Use of Unclaimed Bodies: Over 2,350 unclaimed bodies have been utilized by UNTHSC for dissection and medical training since 2019.
- Example Cases: Includes Victor Honey and other individuals whose families were not notified before their loved ones' bodies were used for research.
Commercial Exploitation: Bodies were cut up and leased out to companies for training and product development, raising ethical questions about consent and exploitation of marginalized populations.
- Examples of Transactions:
  - Swedish medical device manufacturer paid $341 for access to Honey's leg.
  - Medical education company paid $900 for Honey's torso to use in procedure training.
  - U.S. Army used skull bones in educational programs for military medical personnel.

Failure to Notify Families: Death investigators inadequately sought out family members before declaring bodies as unclaimed.
- Documented Cases: Many families learned of their relatives' deaths only after extensive time or from reporters, indicating system failures in communication.
Family Reactions: Many survivors were devastated upon learning about the treatment of their loved ones' bodies without consent.
- Brenda Cloud, Honey’s sister, mentioned feeling violated due to lack of notification and consent.
Legal and Ethical Implications: Questions raised about legality under Texas law and the ethicality of using unclaimed bodies, particularly those of vulnerable groups such as homeless individuals and people with mental illness.

UNTHSC’s Response: After newspaper reports on these issues, UNTHSC suspended its body donation program and terminated key officials involved.
Future Investigations: The university announced it would hire external consultants to review the body donation practices and improve oversight and management.
- Comparison to Other States: Some states have banned or regulated the practice of using unclaimed bodies more stringently, unlike Texas.
Broader Investigative Findings: Reports revealed a broader pattern of unclaimed bodies being treated as resources rather than human remains deserving dignity.

Revenue Model: The center has profited from arrangements with counties for unclaimed bodies, generating significant revenue (approximately $2.5 million annually) from medical companies for training purposes.
Impact on Medical Training: The arrangement aimed to alleviate the financial burden on local governments regarding burial costs, but raised moral and dignity concerns.

Communication and Dignity: Calls for better treatment of the deceased and their remains, emphasizing human dignity and consent should be respected even after death.
- Eli Shupe, a bioethicist, claimed that decisions about one’s body should not expire with death and highlighted the moral implications involved, especially regarding race and poverty.
Public Trust: The university's actions compromised public trust and prompted discussions about how the medical community respects the deceased, particularly from marginalized groups.

The investigation underscores the need for ethical reform in the handling of unclaimed bodies across the medical field, focusing on consent, dignity, and the values of humane treatment.
Families and advocates are calling for policies that require explicit consent before any use of human remains.