Tissue Digestion

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1 Tissue Digestion

[edit] Tissue Digestion

Tissue digestion is a method of disposing bodies. The scientific term is "Alkaline Hydrolysis". It is used at several universities for the remains of animal cadavers as well as for human remains. In mortuary usage, the process is called "water reduction."

[edit] Method and Invention

The remains are dissolved in a mixture of heated water and lye. The remains are reduced to 2 to three percent of the original body weight. After the process is completed, only the bones of a body remain, and these can be ground in one's hand. The remaining protein matter of the body has been dissolved by the lye into a sterile liquid. The process was invented by retired pathology professor Gordon Kaye and retired biochemistry professor Bruce Weber in 1992.

[edit] Advantages

For morturary use, it is ten times cheaper than cremation, since it uses no gas. For disposal of animals, it also destroys prions, which rendering does not reliably do. It also does not cause air pollution. It is the most evironmentally-friendly and sanitary method for diposal of cadavers and remains.

[edit] Use in Mortuaries

Mortuary use is hindered by the fact that many of the human remains are liquefied and go into the sewer. Also, the notion of being dissolved causes some people discomfort. In response to the former, a process of dehydrating the liquid remains so they, with what remains of the bones, can be disposed of as traditional cremains has been developed. Use in mortuaries was not a concern of the company until the scandal at the Tri-State Crematory, which caused the mortuary industry to anticipate a declining public faith in cremation.