https://vimeo.com/18392469]
The human body is a complex and interesting specimen that some find fascinating and others find extremely disgusting, especially if seen from the inside out.
The BODY WORLDS 2 & the Brain exhibit is a collection of authentic human specimens that have been preserved, manipulated and put on display for visitors of the Institute to enjoy. But how much of it are they really enjoying?
According to a survey performed in England, out of the 18 exhibition sites worldwide, 85 percent of the visitors said it was either very good or good and only two percent said the exhibition was poor. Also, 86 percent of visitors said they knew more about the human body after their tour and 68 percent left with valuable incentives for a healthier lifestyle while 57 percent said it “made them think more about life and death.”
Vice President of Exhibits, Dr. Steven Snyder, agrees that the exhibit acts as an educational opportunity for people of all ages to learn about their bodies. It is also a way to initiate positive change within people’s lives.
So if visitors are learning something, what’s the problem? Maybe not a problem per say, but rather a concern regarding the morality and possible nauseating affects of seeing real human bodies skinned and plasticized.
Creator of the famous exhibition, German anatomist Günter von Hagens, invented a plastination technique that allows for an alternative post-death option for people uninterested in being buried. This process involves draining the body of all water and fat and replacing it with certain plastics that help retain the original shape of the body and prevents smells and decay.
“The Body World exhibition is intended to help educate people and provide the opportunity for people to gain a greater understanding of the body and its functions,” noted von Hagens to justify the purpose of his work.
The bodies, donated for exhibition purposes only, come from around the world and are registered through a body-donation program. However, there are some shady cases in which bullet holes were found in the skulls of two bodies and some bodies have been suspected to be the bodies of murder victims. Could these be the reasons for the controversy? Using murder victims for scientific purposes could be a reason or there could also be a more deep-rooted idea behind displaying humans this way.
According to Vice President of the Center for Innovation in Science Learning and The Franklin Institute, Dr. Frederic Bertley, the exhibit simply “speaks to the human point that underneath the skin we are all the same, we have the same bones, the same muscles the same ligaments, the same tissues and it’s absolutely a fabulous way to showcase that we’re a part of this bigger thing called the human family.”
Each individual has the right to decide: education or manipulation?
so, i’ve never been to this body museum, but i do think it’s extremly intresting. i’m not saying it’s right to use humans to look at, but to everyone, isn’t that so intresting. when kids see a dead animal, what do they do? they walk up to it, look at it, observe it, then poke it with a stick. what makes dead things so intresting? i’m glad they don’t allow pictures to be taken, but it must be worth wild having a memory of all that knowledge of learning about how the body works. it’s such a great way to show kids, and adults, in a way that will catch their attention. i can’t wait to go!