Peruvian state Web site posts ad seeking cadaver

A Peruvian state university has posted an advertisement on a government Web site offering 2,070 soles (363 pounds) for a corpse for its medical students to practice on, despite the fact that buying and selling cadavers is illegal.

The macabre want ad was posted on the site of the Center for the Promotion of Small and Micro Businesses (www.prompyme.gob.pe), where state institutions are required to publish tenders for supplies to ensure transparency.

The National University of Cajamarca, in northern Peru, gave bidders until July 22 to submit offers. It was also seeking chalk, white boards and anatomical models.

"We have told the university they have to cancel this request ... it's negligence," said Laura Gutierrez, an official at the state contracts agency, Consucode.

The university said administrative staff had the day off and no one was immediately available for comment. Gutierrez said Consucode could suspend whoever was responsible.
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