No. Cannibalism itself is not explicitly criminalized under North Carolina law, but it may violate statutes addressing corpse desecration, abuse of human remains, or public health risks. The state’s 2023 Human Remains Protection Act (effective 2024) strengthens oversight of non-consensual handling of cadavers, while local health departments enforce N.C. Admin. Code 15A § 19C.0303, which prohibits activities posing “biohazardous threats.” Federal regulations under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (2026 amendments) further restrict unauthorized tissue use.
Key Regulations for Cannibalism in North Carolina
- Corpse Desecration (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-132.1): Prohibits “knowingly and willfully” disturbing or mutilating human remains without legal authority, with penalties up to Class I felony (15 months imprisonment) for aggravated cases.
- Public Health Code (N.C. Admin. Code 15A § 19C.0303): Mandates that any handling of human tissue—including ingestion—must comply with CDC biosafety protocols; violations trigger fines up to $5,000 per incident.
- Consent & Anatomical Gifts (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-412): Requires written, notarized consent for tissue donation; unauthorized consumption of donated remains constitutes theft under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-72 (Class H felony).