Tarrant County ends partnership with unclaimed body program
The county has officially ended its partnership with the science center when it comes to unclaimed deceased bodies donated for research. The program was abruptly shut down due to concerns about how it was being handled.
FORT WORTH, Texas – Tarrant County has ended its partnership with a UNT Health Science Center program that collected unclaimed bodies for medical research.
Due to concerns about its handling, the program was abruptly discontinued.
The consequences reached Tarrant County commissioners on Tuesday.
Through an agreement with the county, unclaimed remains were turned over to the school’s Willed Body Program, saving the county the cost of burying or cremating the remains.
UT Arlington student Serena Karim spoke to the panel as a researcher who studies body donation programs and the ethical concerns.
“You can save money,” she told the commissioners. “But if you are violating the ethical rights and consent of your citizens, then I think you should definitely reconsider.”
Just a few days ago, the UNT Health Science Center shut down its program and admitted deficiencies during an external investigation, without providing details.
A statement on the program’s website said: “The program has not met the standards of respect, care and professionalism that we demand. The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth wishes to extend its deepest apologies to the families affected.”
It was also noted that “personnel measures have been taken, including the dismissal of the program director.”
Karim says research has shown that donated bodies and body parts are often traded or sold between research schools.
“In some cases, they can distribute the data to other medical schools or for other research purposes,” she said. “And the most heartbreaking thing for these families is that sometimes it’s in the schools that they find out that their family member has died.”
After a closed discussion, the county commission voted to officially terminate the county’s agreement with the UNT Health Science Center’s body donation program.
“I have hope that something will change and something good will come out of it,” said Karim.
It is unclear whether the county would consider hiring another research school or begin processing unidentified remains itself.
