Charlotte-Area Patients May Have Received Stolen Human Tissue

WSOC-TV NEWS ^ | 1-6-2005

[Cagey]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Human tissue stolen from funeral homes in New York may have been implanted in at least 26 patients of four Charlotte-area hospitals.

None of the patients appears to have been harmed.

Officials at Carolinas Medical Center and Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte and Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory say they notified doctors and patients after learning patients received bone and other tissue. The tissue came from companies that bought material from Biomedical Tissue Services of New Jersey.

Biomedical is under investigation for allegedly removing bone and tissue from corpses without permission from families and selling them for reconstructive surgery. No charges have been filed.

Biomedical provides tissue for manufacturers that process it in batches and package it for surgical use

[billorites]

Please don't bury me
Down in that cold cold ground
No, I'd druther have "em" cut me up
And pass me all around
Throw my brain in a hurricane
And the blind can have my eyes
And the deaf can take both of my ears
If they don't mind the size
Give my stomach to Milwaukee
If they run out of beer
Put my socks in a cedar box
Just get "em" out of here
Venus de Milo can have my arms
Look out! I've got your nose
Sell my heart to the junkman
And give my love to Rose

Give my feet to the footloose
Careless, fancy free
Give my knees to the needy
Don't pull that stuff on me
Hand me down my walking cane
It's a sin to tell a lie
Send my mouth way down south
And kiss my ass goodbye

[billorites]

[Cagey]

Are you on the correct thread?

In case you just happen to be, are you comparing taking something from the trash with stealing human tissue from corpses at a funeral home?

I'll make sure to keep an eye on my finger nail clippings.

[Cagey]

I once heard of a guy who watched the obits and then got in touch with the bereaved and purchased the deceased one's shoes at bargain basement prices.

He did this for a few years and finally opened a store called "Dead Man's Shoes" and managed to have a bountiful retirement.

[little jeremiah]

later pingout.

[Phsstpok]

I've had 3 corneal transplants over the last 25 years, two on my left eye and one on the right (with my eye condition they're usually only good for 10 to 15 years). I just found out yesterday that I'm likely about to have to redo the right eye very shortly. It's likely I'll go on the waiting list as soon as my next doctors appointment this Thursday.

This article has seriously creeped me out.

I learned a bit about the donor for my first surgery back in 1980 (a 19 year old killed in a motorcycle accident). I didn't pursue that information for the other two surgeries. It's really strange to be waiting for a phone call or pager message telling you "the right person has died and can you come in today?"

It has given me a whole new perspective on the Frankenstein story.

As to the question raised by diznay4evr, there are, in fact, court rulings saying that you cannot use any medical material from someone else, such as biopsy tissue, to develop and then patent something from that material. The original case came from someone who found out that his bodies unique natural ability to produce some compound had been developed into a patented process using his tissue grown in a lab. Not sure that's really on point, but it's probably the closest thing I can think of and since the original comment was not on point of the thread I hope it's close enough.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"I know the FBI goes through people's trash all the time."

Welcome, Newbie. I think your tinfoil hat's on a tad too tight today. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

First of all...YUCK! Secondly, more proof that there's money to be made off of all aspects of the "Culture of Death" in this country.

Lastly...I'm glad for legal, safe and clean tissue and bone donations. My DH has had two spinal surgeries for collapsed discs in his neck. The first time, he had them use his own bone from his hip in the surgery. It took his hip longer to heal than his neck! The second time around, he had a doner piece of bone implanted and his recovery was sped up by at least four weeks.

And it's looking like he may need yet another surgery in the near future. :(

[Alia]

NC *Ping*

Please FRmail Constitution Day OR TaxRelief OR Alia if you want to be added to or removed from this North Carolina ping list.

[Servant of the 9]

The tissue came from companies that bought material from Biomedical Tissue Services of New Jersey.

Sounds like the boys in Jersey have found a way to make disposing of a body profitable.

So9

[suzybabee]

the most heartwrenching thing is knowing a young carolinian girl who HAS been hurt by these vicious heartless people. there a special place in hell for people such as these 4. there is no reason for this child to suffer like she is.