Shock followed as the body of a WWII soldier was dissected at a Portland hotel. It is reported that seventy people gathered inside the hotel meeting room to watch the autopsy. The body is of 98-year-old David Saunders. He died from COVID. He and his 92 year old wife lived in Louisiana. The demonstration, called “Cadaver Lab Class,” was hosted by Death Science – a non-medical company. In fact, it is a media company.
Swift action was taken by the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on Thursday to unanimously ban the for-profit display of human remains. This happened after information was shared about the body of the World War II veteran. The veteran’s wife thought she donated his body to science. However, it was dissected in front of a paying audience at a Portland hotel in 2021.
The new law doesn’t effect funerals. Displays of human remains for “legitimate ceremonial and educational purposes,” such as those by funeral homes and accredited museums and universities, are exempt.
The county ordinance institutes a $1,000 fine per violation, per day, which is the maximum amount public health authorities can demand. Those who violate the ordinance must turn over any resulting profits, and the county can seek any costs it incurs while enforcing the ordinance.
The Portland Police Bureau and Oregon Medical Board we’re called before the public dissection by family looking to stop the event. However, both agencies said they lacked authority to stop the event. The hotel was also called to cancel the event without success.
At this event, attendees gathered closely around the operating table, and attendees wearing only rubber gloves and a face mask can touch the cadaver. The wife of the veteran says she is still haunted by the images of the public demonstration.
