1:19
- ABC News
- October 15, 2021
TikToker sells human bones, ignites ethical debate
A 21-year-old TikToker is selling spines and fetus skulls.
But he pointed to policies he lists on his website that instructed buyers to \"treat these bones with as much respect as possible.\"
Selling human remains is legal in the United States, with restrictions. The practice is banned on Facebook, Instagram and eBay, but under current federal law, you can legally own, sell or distribute human remains, unless the remains are of Native Americans. Native American human remains are protected by the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act enacted in 1990.
\"It is a gray area in the law, as it is not expressly legal. The legal uncertainty allows those who engage in selling bones to continue operating,\" Marsh said.
\"There are some limitations by statute in a couple of states,\" she added.
Ferry said he does not ship bones to Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana or outside of the United States, where there are limitations or bans on the sale of human remains.
Marsh notes that since the debate has picked up attention in recent months she would not be surprised \"if some states take another look at enacting statutes prohibiting the sale of human remains.\"
Editor's note: This report has been corrected from its original version based on additional comments from JonsBones.
This report was featured in the Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, episode of \"Start Here,\" ABC News' daily news podcast.
\"Start Here\" offers a straightforward look at the day's top stories in 20 minutes. Listen for free every weekday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, the ABC News app or wherever you get your podcasts.
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