The president of the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Sylvia Trent-Adams, will resign at the end of the month. This follows an investigation revealing that the university misused unclaimed bodies for research or sold them without consent from family members.
The University of North Texas System Board of Regents accepted her resignation after an NBC News investigation exposed the practice. Over the past five years, the center allegedly handled hundreds of bodies that had been unclaimed or unidentified.
The university’s statement praised Trent-Adams’ commitment but did not address the allegations or explain her departure. The NBC News investigation uncovered serious issues dating back to 2019. Many of the deceased included military veterans, and for some families, this news was shocking, as they had no idea what had happened to their loved ones.
The center received around 2,350 unclaimed or unidentified bodies from nearby counties during this time. Out of these, 830 were used for medical education and research. Some were sold in parts to medical institutions and biotech companies, generating approximately $2.5 million a year in revenue for the university.
Additionally, the center used a method known as water cremation on many of the bodies. This practice is illegal in Texas, although there have been attempts to change the law.
Importantly, the individuals whose bodies were used had never consented to this process, nor did their families. Following the NBC report, the university halted its Willed Bodies Program and dismissed those responsible for the operations, but Trent-Adams remained in her position initially.
After the names of the deceased were published, over 25 families came forward, finally understanding what had happened to their loved ones long after their deaths.
Sylvia Trent-Adams’ final day at the university will be January 31.
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