Body broker

Body Broker

A body broker is an individual or company that engages in the business of acquiring, selling, or distributing human cadavers or body parts for various purposes, including medical research, education, and training. This practice, while controversial, plays a significant role in advancing medical science and education by providing necessary materials for anatomical study and surgical practice.

Overview

Body brokers operate in a niche market that supplies human remains to medical schools, research institutions, and private companies. These entities often obtain bodies through donations, where individuals or their families consent to donate the body for scientific purposes. However, the industry has faced scrutiny due to ethical concerns and regulatory challenges.

History

The practice of using human bodies for medical education dates back centuries, with early anatomists often resorting to grave robbing to obtain specimens. In modern times, the establishment of legal frameworks for body donation has largely replaced these illicit activities. However, the rise of body brokers as intermediaries has introduced new complexities and ethical considerations.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

The legality of body brokering varies by jurisdiction. In the United States, for example, the sale of body parts for transplantation is illegal under the National Organ Transplant Act, but the sale for research and education is not federally regulated. This lack of regulation has led to calls for more oversight to prevent abuses and ensure ethical practices.

Ethical concerns include the potential for exploitation of donors and their families, transparency in the consent process, and the respectful treatment of human remains. Organizations such as the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) provide guidelines and accreditation to promote ethical standards in the industry.

Process

1. Acquisition: Body brokers typically acquire bodies through donation programs. Donors may sign up during their lifetime, or families may donate the body after death.

2. Preparation: Once acquired, bodies are prepared for use. This may involve embalming, dissection, or other processes to preserve the remains for study.

3. Distribution: Brokers then distribute the bodies or body parts to clients, which may include medical schools, research facilities, or private companies.

4. Utilization: The remains are used for various purposes, such as surgical training, medical device testing, or anatomical study.

Controversies

The body broker industry has been the subject of several high-profile scandals involving the mishandling of remains, fraudulent consent practices, and illegal sales. These incidents have highlighted the need for stricter regulations and oversight.

Also see

• Anatomical donation
• Cadaver
• Medical ethics
• Organ donation
• Tissue bank

References

• "Body Brokers: Inside America's Underground Trade in Human Remains" by Annie Cheney
• American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) Guidelines
• National Organ Transplant Act