Body parts for profit

[juliana24]

Newsday.com

Body parts for profit

BY RIDGELY OCHS AND KATHLEEN KERR
STAFF WRITERS

January 14, 2006, 10:35 PM EST

Wendy Kogut of Brooklyn said her sister, Danette, had asked to be cremated before she passed away from ovarian cancer at age 43 in February 2003.

So Kogut was shocked when she learned from New York City detectives four months ago that parts of her sister's body had been removed, without the family's knowledge, and sold to hospitals.

"It's resurfaced a lot of pain for the family," she said. "I feel like I didn't do what she asked me." And, while Kogut said she believes tissue transplants are beneficial, she raised questions about the industry.

"I don't know the direct procedures, but there are people being affected by this and there has to be something to protect them," Kogut, 38, said.

More than a million tissue transplants are performed each year, part of a $1-billion industry, experts said. But recent cases like Kogut's and worries about possibly tainted tissue that went to a Nassau woman have led to investigations and have prompted critics to question whether the industry is properly regulated.

More:

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-liparts0115,0,5218965.story?coll=ny-top-headlines

[Trillo]

1. "...parts of her sister's body had been removed ... and sold"

Welcome to the "ownership" society. You may not sell. Your owner may.

[juliana24]

2. Its sickening to me. I cant believe what I read these days.