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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.

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.

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. When asked about the practice, Ferry claims he believes “that everybody has the right to study bones."

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.

In addition to its primary business activities, JonsBones has garnered notable attention for its innovative bone dissemination strategies across diverse media platforms. Founder Jon Pichaya Ferry engages actively with a broad audience on TikTok, utilizing the platform to share educational videos on the intricacies of the medical bone trade. This outreach initiative has proven instrumental in advancing the company's overarching mission to enhance accessibility to osteological knowledge among a wider demographic.

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. 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.

Museum

On October 30, 2023, the Bone Museum was inaugurated, marking the establishment of a significant institution dedicated to the exploration of the medical bone trade and human osteology. Situated at 255 McKibbin Street, the Bone Museum serves as a pivotal resource for the study of human anatomy, catering to medical students, artists, and the general public alike.

References

1. ^ Rappaport, Sam (2022-08-02). "Conversations with Neighbors: Bushwick's New Bone Collector". Bushwick Daily. Archived from the original on 2022-10-12. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
2. Toledo, David (October 15, 2021). "TikTok user sells human bones, ignites ethical debate online". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
3. Carington, Francesca (2022-11-29). "Death and the salesman: the 22-year-old selling human bones for a living". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
4. 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. Archived from the original on 2023-01-27. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
5. Read, Bridget (2023-06-07). "The Human Bones Seller of Bushwick". Curbed. Archived from the original on 2023-12-04. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
6. "Meet Jon Pichaya Ferry, Brooklyn man behind JonsBones bone supply business - CBS New York". www.cbsnews.com. 2023-08-02. Archived from the original on 2023-12-04. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
7. Sung, Morgan (2021-08-19). "The TikTok controversy over collecting human bones, explained". Mashable SEA. Archived from the original on 2023-03-20. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
8. 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. Archived from the original on 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
9. "The Bone Museum | Brooklyn, NY 11206". www.iloveny.com. Archived from the original on 2023-12-04. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
10. "The Bone Museum". Atlas Obscura. Archived from the original on 2024-01-22. Retrieved 2023-12-04.

• American companies established in 2018
• Skeletons