I hadn't heard of companies like Biogift until about two weeks ago. This is one of the aspects I really like about my job; learning new things that I would otherwise not have any exposure to.

We featured Biogift in our story because of Walt Mitchell's willingness to do an on camera interview with me. http://www.biogift.org

But, I made many phone calls and spoke with a number of people either in, or familiar with these types of non-transplant tissue banks. Some were very opposed to tissue banks like this because of the lack of oversight. Others point out that these companies run into trouble because they can be seen as "competition" for medical schools. Yet others say the fact that they pay for cremation of what's left could make a family consider doing it for financial reasons... and still others say "no way"... families are gently taken through the process and discouraged from it if there is any hesitation or dissent. Lots of viewpoints to consider.

My goal was to have the broadest perspective on this story going into it, especially because I needed to put it together in time to make air tonite.

Onto the questions we raised at the end of the story (11pm Wednesday). Why don't these tissue banks release lists of the places that use tissues they harvest? Well, Walt Mitchell with Biogift says it's because the places that get tissue from his company want to remain anonymous. But he says he supplies National Institutes of Health funded researchers and medical device companies along with surgical education outfits.

He says Biogift received 336 donated bodies last year and the average donated body brings in about $3600 dollars in those processing and delivery fees we told you about. He says most of that covers his overhead which currently includes 6 full time employees. He does make some money when all is said and done, but says it's reasonable and helps grow his business while meeting an increasing demand.

People hear about businesses like Biogift either by advertising placed in the newspaper (Medcure has advertised in the obituary section) or by explaining their services to healthcare providers who then share that option with interested people.

The Northwest is attractive because we are more likely to consider cremation, and body donation than places on the East coast. I thought that was an interesting tidbit.

There is a book written on this subject that some people I spoke with recommend while others said was problematic. It's called Body Brokers by Annie Cheney. http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?isbn=0767917332&atch=h Those who love it say it is very compelling and will grip your attention from start to finish while showing people more about how these kinds of tissue banks work. Those who say it is problematic say it does nothing to explain to people the importance of donated bodies for research and surgical practice-- no matter how macabre it may seem. I haven't read it so I can't tell you what I think :-)

Okay- I have to go for now. I'll post Milkscreen comments that you left me in my next blog. Email me to share your thoughts on this story: sstricklen@kgw.com