University of North Texas Health Center President Resigns Amid Body Donation Controversy

Sylvia Trent-Adams, the president of the University of North Texas Health Science Center, has announced her resignation following an investigation revealing the unethical use of unclaimed corpses for medical research without family consent. The resignation, effective January 31, was accepted by the university's Board of Regents. The board praised Trent-Adams' dedication but did not directly address the ongoing media scrutiny.

The controversy came to light when an NBC News investigation detailed how the health center had received approximately 2,350 unclaimed bodies over five years for the purpose of medical training and research. Many of these bodies were dissected and lease to organizations without informing families, leading to public outcry. In response to the findings, the health center suspended its body donation program and terminated the officials responsible for its administration.

Trent-Adams stated her departure was for personal reasons, although the investigation highlighted significant lapses in oversight and ethical standards in the center's Willed Body Program. Many affected families expressed anger upon learning that their relatives had been used for research without consent. The Texas Funeral Service Commission has since intervened, prohibiting certain practices at the center.

The Health Science Center is now faced with rebuilding trust as it takes steps to address and rectify these violations in ethical standards for body donation.