Kate Willson

FDA Warns Against Tainted Human Body Parts

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration threatens recall after bacteria and contaminants were found in human tissue products made by a top supplier to hospitals in the U.S. and around the world.

Jan 04, 2013

Investigation: Skin and Bone

FDA Posts Warning on Tainted Human Body Parts

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration threatens recall after bacteria and contaminants were found in human tissue products made by a top supplier to hospitals in the U.S. and around the world.

Dec 14, 2012

RTI Biologics Suspends Import of Human Tissue from Ukraine

One of the biggest players in the global trade in human tissue has suspended its partnership with suppliers in Ukraine, where authorities have carried out multiple investigations over allegations of illegal tissue recovery.

Sep 07, 2012

Investigation: Skin and Bone

Why I’m Still a Tissue Donor

When ICIJ began discussing how to write a story about the untraceable and opaque trade in human tissues, our intent was not to propel readers to toss out their donor cards.

Jul 23, 2012

Abusing the ‘Gift’ of Tissue Donation

PART FOUR: In the brave new world of tissue harvesting, the dead’s bones, skin, tendons and heart valves can be cut out and used to create medical devices that can be sold for profit around the world.

Jul 18, 2012

Investigation: Skin and Bone

Traceability Elusive in Global Trade of Human Parts

PART THREE: Poor accountability and inadequate safeguards prompt concerns among medical experts that products made from tissues taken from the dead could spread disease to the living.

Jul 18, 2012

Investigation: Skin and Bone

Body Brokers Leave Trail of Questions, Corruption

PART TWO: Police in Hungary, Ukraine and the U.S. allege that tissue suppliers stole tissue and committed fraud and forgery in the drive to supply the industry with flesh and bone.

Jul 17, 2012

Investigation: Skin and Bone

Analyzing the Data behind Skin and Bone

How we identified relationships between data on tissue imports, inspections, adverse events, and accident reports filed with the Food and Drug Administration.

Jul 16, 2012