The Dark Side of Human Sample Procurement

In recent years, the demand for human biological samples (HBS) in biomedical and pharmaceutical research has increased significantly, driven by advancements in personalized medicine and regenerative therapies. However, this demand has also led to ethical and legal challenges, particularly concerning the sourcing of human tissues. A recent article appearing in Newsweek highlights the alarming issue of human organ trafficking facilitated through cryptocurrencies and social media platforms, underscoring the need for stringent oversight and due diligence in this field.

Originally published on July 29, 2024, the Newsweek article sheds light on the illicit trade of human organs, revealing how traffickers exploit digital platforms to conduct their operations. This illegal market not only poses ethical concerns but also puts the integrity of scientific research at risk, which may unknowingly utilize unethically sourced tissues. The involvement of cryptocurrencies further complicates the traceability of transactions, making it difficult for authorities to intervene and regulate these activities.

Last year, there was a story of a 44 year-old Massachusetts woman running a black market body part business from her Salem storefront, “Kat’s Creepy Creations,” which detailed a nationwide network of individuals who were buying and selling stolen human remains from Harvard Medical School and an Arkansas mortuary. In 2018, Scientist.com reported a similar situation.

It is imperative for researchers and institutions to be aware of these risks and implement routine and robust due diligence processes when sourcing human tissues, such as:

• Ensure that the human sample providers are accredited under the local legislative systems and adhere to ethical guidelines and local and global legal standards.
• Standardize and consistently review the origin of human samples, which can help ensure that they are sourced ethically and legally.
• Regularly audit human biological sample providers and their procurement processes to identify risks and avoid potential issues associated with unethical sourcing.

The issues highlighted by these events serve as a warning and a reminder of the potential ethical pitfalls in the sourcing of human tissues for research. By prioritizing due diligence and oversight, the research community can safeguard the ethical standards of their work, ultimately contributing to the advancement of science in a responsible and sustainable manner.

How to be proactive

Prior to joining Scientist.com’s supplier network, every sample provider undergoes an extensive commercial due diligence, making it easier to avoid ethical and legal issues later on. It also enables more informed decision making for prospective clients. Overseeing the commercial due diligence is COMPLi®, an integral part of the Scientist.com platform, which provides researchers access to an award-winning suite of tools that provides increased transparency on the status of every human biological sample offered, triggering intervention from experts when any concerns are detected.

To ensure an additional layer of oversight, Scientist.com has also launched VERIF.i®, an on-site assessment for organizations that provide human biological samples and other ethically sensitive areas such as Animal Welfare. These assessments can help verify that the sample providers are following proper guidelines and regulations, while maintaining ethical standards.

Collectively, our COMPLi suite, which includes VERIF.i, is intended to collectively prevent black market trafficking of human biological samples within the biopharma industry.

COMPLi + VERIF.i =

• Ensured compliance with regulations
• Enhanced transparency and accountability
• Aid in the early detection of potential issues
• Proper handling and storage of samples
• Elimination of unethical sample providers.

To learn more about how Scientist.com ensures the ethical sourcing of human biological samples for research, contact Maria Menikou, Sr. Category Director, at maria.menikou@scientist.com