What Happens to Unclaimed Bodies? Inside the $180 Billion Industry

Boston Scientific, one of America's largest medical technology companies, used unclaimed human bodies for medical training through its subsidiary Relievant Medsystems, according to internal emails and documents obtained through public records requests.

The bodies came from the University of North Texas Health Science Center's BioSkills laboratory, which received them from two local counties. The center has since closed its laboratory and ended its use of unclaimed bodies following revelations of what its president called "deficiencies in leadership, standards of respect and care, and professionalism."

Between 2019 and 2023, Relievant Medsystems paid more than $352,000 for access to bodies and lab space to train doctors on its Intracept system, a surgical technique for treating lower back pain. At least 25 of these bodies were unclaimed, meaning they belonged to individuals whose relatives could not be reached or who could not afford funeral arrangements.

The practice came to light in August when a reporter's inquiry prompted discussions among Boston Scientific executives about potential reputational damage. "We didn't do anything illegal or wrong," Jessica Sachariason, Boston Scientific's global corporate communications director, wrote in internal communications. However, she noted the situation posed "reputational risks" to the company if they didn't respond.

The use of unclaimed bodies for medical research remains legal in much of the United States, though medical ethics experts consider it problematic due to the lack of consent. Janet Cope, an anatomy specialist at Elon University in North Carolina, said, "This is legalized grave robbing. No shovel needed," regarding the practice of using unclaimed bodies.

One of the bodies used in Relievant's training belonged to Aurimar Villegas, a 21-year-old Venezuelan migrant killed in a road rage incident. Her family had been trying unsuccessfully to recover her body.

Boston Scientific acquired Relievant last year for more than $800 million. The company projects Intracept procedure sales to exceed $100 million in 2024.

According to NBC News, after the practice came to light, Boston Scientific legal director Kevin Barry advised company leaders to avoid appearing to "turn a blind eye to UNT's practices," citing potential investor concerns. The company has since updated its policies to require consent from donors or their next of kin.

Among the 15 largest medical device manufacturers, only Johnson & Johnson and Medtronic reported having policies against using unclaimed bodies. Fresenius Medical Care stated it does not use bodies at all. The remaining companies either lack policies, did not respond, or provided unclear answers.

The medical device industry, valued at $180 billion, relies heavily on human bodies for research and development. Since 2019, FDA records show that at least 332 medical devices received clearance, citing cadaveric studies for safety verification.

Some companies have begun transitioning to alternatives. SynDaver, which produces synthetic human models priced up to $200,000, aims to reduce reliance on human remains. "That is something that we are trying to combat," said Calisse Revilla, SynDaver's sales director.

Despite these alternatives, medical professionals maintain that human specimens remain essential for training. Corinne Bell, executive director of the Anatomy Gifts Registry, emphasized, "Any kind of hesitation or inexperience can really cost someone their life."

The Health Science Center's fee structure for body use included $1,623 for daily rental, $232 for cleanup, $42 per participant, $927 per human torso, and $186 for each cremation.

When confronted with questions about unclaimed bodies in September, Boston Scientific initially hesitated to cancel scheduled training sessions. Brian Betts, a company vice president, wrote in an email, "Canceling the course last minute - when we have done nothing wrong and are operating above board makes little sense to me. Cadaver trainings are a necessary part of medical education."

The company proceeded with the September training only after receiving written confirmation that the bodies used were properly donated. Health Science Center spokesperson Andy North verified that these bodies "were either directly donated by the individual prior to death or by next of kin."

Industry experts advocate for stronger oversight of bioskills labs. Garland Shreves, CEO of Research for Life, a body donation company, called for government inspections to ensure facilities meet ethical standards.

"No one should be forced to be a donor," Shreves said. "The law may allow it in certain jurisdictions. Whether it's allowed or not doesn't mean we should do it."

The Health Science Center's decision to close its BioSkills laboratory followed document releases that exposed operational issues. The closure marks a significant shift in the institution's practices regarding unclaimed bodies.

Medical device companies face growing pressure to ensure ethical sourcing of bodies for research and training. While synthetic alternatives offer some advantages - including reusability and freedom from ethical concerns - the unique characteristics of human specimens continue to make them valuable for medical training.

The case highlights broader issues in the medical device industry's use of human remains and raises questions about consent, ethics, and oversight in medical training practices. It also underscores the need for clearer industry-wide policies regarding using unclaimed bodies.

Boston Scientific's response to the situation - implementing new consent requirements and ending its relationship with the Health Science Center - may set a precedent for other companies in the industry. However, the limited number of major medical device manufacturers with explicit policies against using unclaimed bodies suggests significant room for industry-wide reform.

The closure of the Health Science Center's BioSkills laboratory represents just one instance in a larger pattern of practices involving unclaimed bodies in medical research and training. NBC News investigations over the past two years have revealed multiple cases where bodies were used for research while family members were still searching for their loved ones.