JonsBones
JonsBones is an American startup company best known for selling medical osteology bone kits. The company mainly sells its bone collection to universities, hospitals, chiropractors medical students and artists.
Type | Privately held |
---|---|
Industry | Retail |
Founded | November 26, 2018[1] |
Headquarters | Brooklyn, New York, US |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Jon Pichaya Ferry (Founder/President) |
Products | Medical osteology |
Website | www |
Background
JonsBones was founded by Jon Pichaya Ferry on November 26, 2018 while he was pursuing a degree in product design at Parsons School of Design.[1]
JonsBones maintained his startup is selling medical osteology, which refers to bones used for the training of medical students. His business sells all bones found in the human body including spines, skulls and full skeletons.[2] When asked about the practice, Ferry claims he believes “that everybody has the right to study bones."[3]
The company attracts various clientele, which includes anthropologists, students, collectors, and artists. Ferry also claims law enforcement agencies use individual bones to train cadaver dogs.[4]
Controversy
JonsBones was criticized after Ferry talked about his bone trade on video sharing platform TikTok, with questions arising about the legality, morality and ethics of trading human bones. Ferry countered that in the United States, there is no law that prohibits the sale and possession of human osteology.[5] Critics say there are clients who buy bones not for educational purposes but as materials for jewelry, chandeliers and other curiosities. Ferry refused to divulge information about his buyers, citing privacy reasons. He stated, however, that he has no control over what his clients do with the bones after purchase.[6]
References
- Rappaport, Sam (2022-08-02). "Conversations with Neighbors: Bushwick's New Bone Collector". Bushwick Daily. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
- Toledo, David (October 15, 2021). "TikTok user sells human bones, ignites ethical debate online". ABC News. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
- Carington, Francesca (2022-11-29). "Death and the salesman: the 22-year-old selling human bones for a living". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
- Anders, Caroline (October 10, 2021). "A TikTok bone salesman's wall of spines reignites ethical debate over selling human remains". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
- Sung, Morgan (2021-08-19). "The TikTok controversy over collecting human bones, explained". Mashable SEA. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
- Kennedy, Ally (2021-10-27). "'Human skulls line his shelves': 21-year old TikTok star JonesBones stirs ethical debate over selling human remains". Genetic Literacy Project. Retrieved 2023-03-27.