Bodies, The Exhibit

DadStudentPerhaps · Jan 30, 2014

Morally speaking, would not viewing a mummy or any other exhumed body without consent be equivalent to viewing an unclaimed body donated to science? It's an interesting question, no doubt. I'm not here to argue semantics, like someone said, it's a decision we all have to make for ourselves.

As for understanding A&P, the Exhibit is a wealth of information. While I was there, it was a very quite respectful atmosphere. People were mingling around, reading the plaques, listening to the lady who was there to explain what you were looking at.... and people took note of what a diseased lung from smoking (for example) actually looked like compared to a healthy lung. Having just lost my mom from lung cancer at the time, it really drove home the point on why a person shouldn't smoke.

Krzysztof · Jan 30, 2014

Yes, those comparisons were really something. When side by side, you can really see and understand just how bad things can get.

My condolences regarding your mother.

DadStudentPerhaps · Jan 30, 2014

Yes those comparisons were really something. When side by side, you can really see and understand just how bad things can get. My condolences regarding your mother.[/quote']
They were indeed. Thanks for the condolences. Knowing she's is in a better place and free from the pain she endured is a comforting thought that helped our family get through her passing.

CDEWannaBe · Jan 30, 2014

I did not make the controvery up. It's been documented for years, best shown in this 20/20 news video from about 5 years ago.

Take a few minutes to be informed before making a decision decision about seeing the exhibit.

20/20: Inside the Bodies Exhibit | Video - ABC News

Krzysztof · Jan 30, 2014

No one suggested that you made it up. I simply posted their claims.

Krzysztof · Jan 30, 2014

Well, perhaps a poster did claim it was all legal acquisition. My bad.

RunBabyRN · Jan 30, 2014

Now that I look it up, it wasn't Bodies: The Exhibition I saw; it was BODY WORLDS (their capitalization), when the tour came to my area.
Just for the sake of conversation, here is what each official website states with regard to origin of the specimens:
Bodies: The Exhibition - Where do the full body specimens come from? The full body specimens are persons who lived in China and died from natural causes. After the bodies were unclaimed at death, pursuant to Chinese law, they were ultimately delivered to a medical school for education and research. Where known, information about the identities, medical histories and causes of death is kept strictly confidential.
BODY WORLDS - Where did the specimens on display come from? Will we know who the plastinates are or how they died? The BODY WORLDS exhibitions rely on the generosity of body donors; individuals who requested that, upon their death, their bodies could be used for educational purposes in the exhibition. All the whole-body plastinates and the majority of the specimens are from these body donors; only some organs, fetuses and specific specimens that show unusual conditions come from old anatomical collections and morphological institutes. As agreed upon by the body donors, their identities and causes of death are not disclosed. The exhibition focuses on the nature of our bodies, not on telling personal information. Currently there are more than 13,000 donors registered in the body donation program of the Institute for Plastination. For more information please visit the body donation section. BODY WORLDS exhibitions are based on an established body donation program through which the body donors specifically request that their bodies could be used in a public exhibition after their deaths.

I remember when I took anatomy, our instructor mentioned this. Body Worlds came to a nearby city, and my husband and I went to see it (INCREDIBLE!). We refused to see Bodies because of the knock-off, lower standards, and the controversy surrounding it (we've been near it a few times).

The plastination of cadavers for Body Worlds is unmatched. Even just looking at the exhibits online, you can see the difference.

OP, if you have the opportunity, see Body Worlds! It is truly amazing!

PhillippaX50 · Jan 31, 2014

I saw the Bodies exhibit many years ago in Las Vegas - when it first came out. I wasn't into nursing at that time, but I found it fascinating. I noticed at the time that a lot of the bodies looked Asian (you could tell by the faces and body type) - but I had no idea that they *may or may not be* Chinese prisoners...I assumed that they were people who donated their body to science. Even in Vegas, the crowds seemed very respectful of the exhibit. It does bother me to know that those people may have not given permission. The other thing that distressed me a little was the positions that some of the people were in (playing basketball, etc.)

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 31, 2014

I saw it in Chicago when it was first here. Amazing. I had worked with horses for many, many years-for a vet, too and the horse was mesmerizing. My friend and I spent almost 2 hours looking at the horse itself. I find it all fascinating. At that time there was no controversy. I think there are 2 companies doing it. When it came to NC not so long ago, huge controversy. I think it has value, but I was concerned when I heard that there were "issues"

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2014

I saw a body world exhibition with all my former classmates when I was a student in an LVN program in the greater Los Angeles area back in 2004. It was very unremarkable, and frankly, I don't remember much about that field trip. Then again, dead corpses are boring to me.

GundeRN · Jan 31, 2014

It isn't a matter of whether or not it is respectful to look at someone's body after death without their consent. This is about encouraging the execution of people for the sole purpose of making this "art" the claims are those bodies were sold by the Chinese government. Also, the people in Chinese prisons are not necessarily criminals. It isn't like they have a fair justice system over there.

vettechtoRN · Jan 31, 2014

I saw body worlds years ago for my birthday. it was incredible!! I hope it comes around again soon since I am in A&P now:) We didn't dissect anything in this A&P so it would be great to go see it.