Should the General Public See MOSI's "Bodies"?

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

should the general public be allowed to view mosi's "bodies" exhibit for a fee or is it disrespectful? i couldn't decide if this should go in nursing or current events. i chose nursing as i think nurses have a clearer understanding of the sensitivity of the issue both as nurses and as people.

the story in its entirety is here:

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/08/18/news_pf/tampabay/defiant_mosi_unveils_.shtml

defiant mosi unveils 'bodies'

the museum opens its show early, starting at 9 a.m. today, after the anatomical board won't give its approval.

by kevin graham

published august 18, 2005

tampa - hours after the state anatomical board denied approval to a public display of posed cadavers wednesday, the museum of science and industry announced the exhibit will open at 9 a.m. today.

that's two days ahead of schedule.

"fortunately for the people of tampa we are finished early and we are ready to open to the public," promoter premier exhibitions of atlanta said in a prepared statement.

the anatomical board, which has statutory oversight of bodies used for medical research and education, took a stand against "bodies, the exhibition" during an emergency meeting wednesday in gainesville and called on attorney general charlie crist to get behind the ruling.

"we've taken our position," said executive director lynn j. romrell, "and now it's up to the attorney general to enforce the law."

but when told of the board's 4-2 vote, crist said he did not plan to seek an injunction to keep the exhibit from opening. nor did he expect to take legal action against mosi or premier exhibitions. he said that would be up to the board.

"our rule on this was to render an opinion as to whether the board has jurisdiction," crist said. "there's two parties that remain in this at this time: the museum and the board. either of those two parties can appeal to a court."

however, crist's office asked the board to provide notes of the discussion that took place before the ruling.

in tampa, the hillsborough state attorney's office also expressed interest. "we'll be reviewing the opinions of the anatomical board and attorney general crist to determine if there are any potential violations of florida law," said spokeswoman pam bondi.

the board plans to wait for crist's review before proceeding, a board spokeswoman said.

last week, crist said that mosi and premier needed the anatomical board's approval for the exhibit, which includes 20 fully preserved cadavers and more than 260 organs and body parts.

crist cited a florida statute that says, in part, "any person, institution or organization that conveys bodies or parts of bodies into or out of the state for medical education or research purposes shall notify the anatomical board of such intent and receive approval from the board."

but brian wainger, attorney for premier, maintained wednesday that the anatomical board has no jurisdiction over "bodies, the exhibition." he said florida's law refers to medical education at a medical school, not public education at a museum.

"now is the time to allow the public to learn the same things that a future, would-be doctor can learn," wainger told the board before the vote.

premier has said the bodies belonged to individuals in china who died unidentified and unclaimed.

late tuesday, the promoter gave documents to the board that traced the path of the bodies to dalian medical university's plastination laboratories. plastination is the process used to preserve the bodies.

in an affidavit filed in hillsborough county, hong jin sui, president of the dalian plastination company, said chinese police publish three notices in major newspapers to identify the individuals, then wait 30 days before declaring the bodies unclaimed.

see a sample picture of this exhibit here:

http://www.abcactionnews.com/stories/2005/08/050802mosi.shtml with the image in its original context.

[sunnyjohn]

This actually looks very interesting. So few people know what the inside of the human body looks like. Our bodies are such a marvel!

As long as the bodies are treated with decency and respect, I have no problem with it. Parents should also be sure their children can handle it.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

This actually looks very interesting. So few people know what the inside of the human body looks like. Our bodies are such a marvel!

As long as the bodies are treated with decency and respect, I have no problem with it. Parents should also be sure their children can handle it.

I agree. I've been fascinated by this - but haven't been able to see it.

My friend and her husband did - neither one in the medical field - both thought it was quite interesting and respectful.

steph

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

I can well understand the fascination. But it bugs the heck out of me that these are unclaimed bodies that were only "unclaimed" for a lousy thirty days.

I would feel differently if they were willingly donated to science.

But each time I look at these, I wonder what they really would've wanted for their bodies.

[sunnyjohn]

I can well understand the fascination. But it bugs the heck out of me that these are unclaimed bodies that were only "unclaimed" for a lousy thirty days.

I would feel differently if they were willingly donated to science.

But each time I look at these, I wonder what they really would've wanted for their bodies.

Yes, that is a sticky wicket.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

To use unclaimed bodies is just wrong.

Use bodies of people who volunteered for something like this. THAT would be respectful!

[Fun2, BSN, RN]

I don't think 30 days is long enough.

I would love to see a properly made/refrigerated exhibit, where the facility has been ok'd by the person before dying, or by family members before displaying the body.

It seems to be very interesting. (pics & video)

[live4today, RN]

I find it very disrespectful to view a human body that has no idea it was going to be put up for viewing. Get family okay, or have it in writing before the person dies that they would like to be displayed that way for the art of science and learning. Otherwise, who are we to disrespect someone's loved one without their knowledge. Just because we can do something in today's technology doesn't make it right to do. Whatever happened to RESTRAINT out of RESPECT for one another-----dead or alive?????????

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I find it very disrespectful to view a human body that has no idea it was going to be put up for viewing.

I agree.

[VeryPlainJane]

I can understand both sides of the issue, but it does prove that the human body is a beautiful thing and wonderfully made.

[dreatx]

Not really an issue to me. A body is just meat, after death, and since these bodies were not stolen and are not being desecrated i don't see any problems. In some ways, it is almost as if the people in question live on.