SHOCKING: eBay SELLS SKULLS AND SPINES OF HUMAN BODY PARTS FROM $380 TO...

Prices ranged from £380 for an “antique geriatric human skull” to nearly £4,000 for an articulated fetal skeleton, which is listed as “used” but “in great condition”

Shocking: Human remains sold on eBay

A macabre trade in human remains being plied on eBay has been shut down, thanks to the Mirror.

Despite being against the site’s rules, real skulls, bones and even spinal columns were being sold for thousands of pounds on the auction website .
One trader was selling what he claims is the skeleton of a stillborn child alongside Disney DVDs, gym equipment and designer clothes.

Our investigation found more than 40 items on the site claiming to be real human skulls , many dissected and wired back together for use in medical research.

Human skull: Bones and remains sold on macabre eBay site

Prices ranged from £380 for an “antique geriatric human skull” to nearly £4,000 for an articulated fetal skeleton, which is listed as “used” but “in great condition”.
EBay’s rules and regulations clearly state: “You can’t list humans, the human body or any human body parts on eBay.”

The only exception, the website states, is “human scalp hair, and skulls and skeletons intended for medical use”.
Confusingly, the same policy later says that bones are prohibited, adding: “You can’t sell any of these items even if you state they are intended for medical research.”
The sellers are based in the US, India or China but most say they will ship to the UK.

Twisted site: Human remains trade shut down thanks to Mirror

But when the Mirror went to eBay with our findings, they promised to shut the trade down.
An eBay spokeswoman said: “In the UK, eBay prohibits the sale of human skeletons, skulls and bones regardless of whether they are listed for medical use or not.
“Any such items that appear on the eBay UK site or offer the option to ship to the UK will be removed per our policy.”
EBayer Jason Black, from Leicestershire, had complained to the company previously but the listings stayed on the site.
Mr Black said: “Looking at the selling history of these people, hundreds of human remains have been sold across the world, seemingly with no checks.”

Angry shoppers: Customers buying other items had complained about site

In Britain, the sale of remains is governed under the Human Tissue Act 2004. It is an offence to “engage in the commercial dealings in bodily material for the purposes of transplantation” but the HTA is silent on the sale of bodies, body parts, or tissue for other purposes

A Human Tissue Authority spokeswoman said: “Those involved in the sale or purchase of human tissue, and those who may host adverts for such sales (such as internet sites or newspapers), will have their own professional standards to follow, and should ensure that they are aware of the consent and licensing provisions of the HT Act.
“Anyone directly involved in or facilitating the sale or purchase of human tissue should ensure that they are aware of the consent and licensing provisions of the Act and should make potential purchasers aware of these provisions.
“The HTA expects auction and e-commerce websites to have appropriate policies in place and ensure these provisions are followed.”







Mirror uk