Note also the current story in Global Museum http://www.globalmuseum.org
(which is not the company referred to in Richard's article but raises
similar ethical considerations)
** Bona fide human factory opens doors in eastern Germany
It would appear that not content with exhibiting the "plastinated bodies",
von Hagens now appears to be running tours showing the bodies going through
the plastination process?
Roger
----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Fields
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 2:05 AM
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] "Our Body: The Universe Within" exhibit article
Martin F. Kohn has written an interesting article on the "Our Body: The
Universe Within" exhibit to be shown at the New Detroit Science Center. The
article (
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061128/ENT05/611280305 )
looks at the exhibit, controversy, and thoughts of exhibiting human body
parts. The bodies have undergone a process called plastination, and the
exhibit is developed by Universe Within Touring Co. They expect 50,000
visitors a month during its run from January 13th to Memorial Day, according
to the article.
Now my comments. I acknowledge the educational value of bodies used in
medical education and research. I acknowledge the educational value of a
cursory examination of human remains when accidentally discovered before
proper re-internment. I am not opposed to educational study. That said, I am
opposed to the display of human remains in museums. I have seen exhibits,
such as the Science Museum of Minnesota, which had slices of human bodies
between glass (or something smiler), which could make a claim to an
educational value, and I remember the mummy's hand on display at the Witte
museum in San Antonio, (smell the mummy's hand!) which I found revolting.
As a Native American, I am perhaps a bit more sensitive to seeing humans on
display. There was a history of disrespect shown toward native remains, and
those from other non-European cultures. Fortunately, that has mostly passed.
The bodies for the exhibit come from China, and although they gave their
bodies to science, I still don't think a museum exhibit is an appropriate
use for a dead body. I do not know if they were aware if the scientific use
included museum exhibits.
I am curious as to how others feel about exhibiting bodies and body parts in
museums. Can you separate your professional and personal views on this issue
(I cannot)? Is the display of bodies a legitimate item, or is it just
another way to keep the turnstiles revolving?
Will today's educational exhibit be looked at in the future with disdain as
the way we now consider the display of human remains from other cultures
(such as Indians, mummies from Egypt, or African Tribes).
And a quick note to the Science Museum of Minnesota and The Witte Museum. I
think you both have great museums, I just disagree with the exhibits I saw,
which were about five and ten years ago respectively. I do not know if they
are still there. I just used your institutions since they were the first two
I remembered.
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