The Associated Press

GRANVILLE, Ohio - In the corner of the small cemetery at Denison University is a granite marker that simply reads, "Unknown infants."

The remains of 23 fetuses buried there show how technology and philosophy have changed medical education.

The fetuses had been preserved in formaldehyde and used for instruction in human anatomy and development until computers, lifelike models and other methods became available. They were discovered in a locked cabinet in the biology department a few years ago.

"There was an uneasiness about having them just sitting on a shelf and not being used," said Seth Patton, vice president for finance and management for the school about 25 miles east of Columbus.

Universities commonly acquired such specimens in the World War II era from low-income women who had miscarriages or abortions, said Arthur Caplan, director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ohio State University, Ohio University and Wittenberg University are among others that have used the preserved fetuses in the past.

The policy at Ohio is cremation with appropriate burial, said Connie Young, coordinator of the body-donation program.

Denison officials ultimately chose cremation and a funeral conducted by the university chaplain in October 2000.