When people donate their bodies – or the body of a loved one – to science, they are hoping that their remains will produce good in the world and advance research that might be able to protect future generations of humans from suffering. But apparently in Canada it is perfectly legal for some bodies donated to science to be sold as surplus – and in one more horrendous case, allegedly end up used in fashion products that are flippantly marketed via Instagram.
Sign the petition now to demand that Canadian Parliament amend existing law to make the use of human bodies for commercial gain illegal!
People who donate their bodies or the bodies of their loved ones to science are heroes. Donated bodies help advance medical research for decades to come by contributing to training, education, and medical studies around the world. Recent advancements in Alzheimer's disease, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes have been made possible because of individuals choosing to donate. Can you imagine believing you are doing the right thing with a loved one's body, only to find out it is being exploited for commercial profit and private gain by an Instagram influencer peddling fashion products?
That's apparently what happened to an unknowing person in Canada when fashion designer and Instagram influencer Arnold Putra shockingly and selfishly fashioned a handbag with a handle made from what he claimed was a human child's spine – and then put it up for sale for thousands of dollars.
And according to Canadian law, this is perfectly legal. A legal loophole in the country allows some bodies that are donated to science to be sold as 'surplus.' This is how the influencer was able to claim that the spine bones in question were "medically sourced from Canada with papers."
This grotesque use of a body for commercial gain must be prevented from ever happening again. Current laws must be amended to prohibit use for commercial purposes on a federal level in Canada. Donated bodies should be used for science and education, which is what people consent to in the first place. Sign now if you agree: Canadian Parliament must amend existing laws to explicitly prohibit the use of a body for commercial gain!
Photo taken from the Instagram page @byarnoldputra
