The Biological Resource Center (BRC) is a now-defunct company that specialized in the donation of human bodies for scientific research. However, the company was at the center of a true crime case in 2014, where it was discovered that the BRC had been involved in illegal and unethical practices. This case shocked the nation and raised important questions about the regulation of the death industry.
What was the Biological Resource Center?
The Biological Resource Center was a company that claimed to provide human tissue for medical research and education purposes. It was founded in 2003 and was based in Phoenix, Arizona. The company solicited the donation of bodies from people who wanted to contribute to science after their death. These bodies were then supposed to be used for research and educational purposes. The company claimed that it was dedicated to advancing medical science and that the donated bodies would help in the development of new medical treatments.
What was the case about?
In 2014, an FBI raid on the BRC uncovered shocking practices. The company had been involved in the illegal and unethical practices of selling body parts and body fluids to medical researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and even the US military. The company had also been deceiving families who had donated their loved ones’ bodies. Instead of treating these bodies with respect, the company had been using them for profit.
The owner of the company, Stephen Gore, was charged with multiple felonies, including fraud, theft, and illegal control of an enterprise. It was found that he had been running the company like a “human chop shop,” where body parts were being sold for profit. Gore admitted to some of the charges, including using body parts for research without family consent, but he denied others, including stealing from families.
What were the consequences?
The consequences of the Biological Resource Center case were severe. Stephen Gore was sentenced to one year in prison and four years of probation. He was also ordered to pay $121,000 in restitution to the families of those whose body parts were sold illegally. The company was forced to shut down, and many families who had donated their loved ones’ bodies were left feeling violated and betrayed.
The case also raised important questions about the regulation of the death industry. The BRC was able to operate with little oversight, and it was only through an FBI investigation that the illegal practices were uncovered. The case sparked a national conversation about the need for stronger regulations to protect families who donate their loved ones’ bodies for medical research.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Biological Resource Center case was a shocking true crime story that revealed illegal and unethical practices within the body donation industry. The case highlighted the need for stronger regulations to protect families who donate their loved ones’ bodies for medical research and raised important questions about the regulation of the death industry.
Learn More
To learn more about this case, you can review our sources and listen to our episode. Additionally, you can read the full episode script.