Stolen U.S.bone grafts sold to British

Bone grafts allegedly stolen in the United States have gone to at least 40 British patients, it was reported Friday.

Twenty-five hospitals were said to have bought the pilfered body parts from a U.S. company, Biomedical Tissue Services. Among the British hospitals named were Guy's, St. George's, Northwick Park and the Royal London plus seven private hospitals.

Biomedical is at the center of allegations that more than 1,000 body parts were stolen by New York gangs and sold for transplants, the London Independent reported.

U.S. police are reported to be investigating claims that managers of the company took the body parts without consent and falsified death certificates in some cases.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended that patients who received a graft be screened for diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus, the virus that causes AIDS.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International