Steve’s mom had knee replacement surgery yesterday. He called his sister after work to see how the procedure went (all well), and then asked, “So, did you get the old knee?” She laughed, of course, but I was thinking it would be a great addition to our museum cupboard in the dining room. Then Steve asked if it was legal to keep human bones. Huh? Hmmm. I’ve discovered that there are no federal laws prohibiting the ownership or sale of human bones. Prior to 1987, most bones were imported from India, and until 2008, China also exported human bones. No more. There are some state laws restricting the import and export of human remains across state lines, and Native American material is very much protected under the Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. So we have a right to bear arms and bare bones.
She had her hip replaced a few years ago. I wonder what they did with that?