Transplanted Body Parts Get Scrutiny

At least a dozen Oklahomans have joined a lawsuit against a New Jersey biomedical company they allege sold tissue from dead bodies without permission or proper medical screening.

Sunday, July 20th 2008, 9:21 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- At least a dozen Oklahomans have joined a lawsuit against a New Jersey biomedical company they allege sold tissue from dead bodies without permission or proper medical screening.

William Green of Jenks alleges he contracted hepatitis C from tainted bone that doctors used to repair damage to his lower back following an oil-field explosion in Glenpool in 2001. Now he's awaiting a liver transplant.

Green is one of an estimated 10,000 people across the nation to receive body parts from Biomedical Tissue Services, the company at the center of the case.

Each of the Oklahoma residents, including four who filed lawsuits last week, contend they were implanted with tainted bone or other tissue that originated with the New Jersey company.