The Whole is Not Always Greater than the Sum of Its Parts: A Call for Stricter Regulation of Post-Mortem Human Tissue

This paper examines the current law and urges the greater regulation of the post-mortem human tissue industry. Part II illustrates the many post-mortem uses of the human body. Part III describes several post-mortem misuses and abuses of donor cadavers, organs and tissue resulting from a gap in current regulation. Part IV lays out the entities involved in the oversight of the tissue banking industry and explains the current state of regulation, including pending legislation and its potential effectiveness in addressing past shortcomings.

Part V examines why the current and pending legislation does not adequately address the industry problems and urges greater regulation of the post-mortem tissue banking system.