Leo Bonten slipped in a pool and broke his leg two years ago. [A]fter an infection, the leg had to be amputated earlier this year.
With the help of a pathologist and lamp [designer ], Bonten’s leg was transformed into what just might be the world’s most unusual lighting device, and then tried to sell the unusual object on eBay.
Bonten told NOS that he would like to keep the lamp, “but I need the money”.
Naturally, eBay, being the spoilsports they so often are, have already pulled the auction arguing it violates a rule against the sale of body parts.
The incident also triggered a disagreement (to put it mildly) between him and the hospital that performed the amputation. Traditionally amputated parts are retained by the hospital who is responsible for their disposal; failing to dispose of human tissue is in fact against Dutch law.
Eventually (obviously) Bonten prevailed, give that it’s kind of hard to argue he can’t determine the fate of his own body parts.
Although stymied by eBay, Boten hopes to sell it anyways to contribute towards the purchase of a bionic leg. Seems reasonable to me.
Quoted text via Huffington Post. Additional info via The Mirror.
