The human body is a beautiful thing. It is an elaborate and beautiful piece of machinery that humans all over the world are trying to learn more about.
I will not deny the fact that "Bodies… The Exhibition" is one such way humans can get to know more about the intricate inner workings of their bodies. Premier Exhibitions has redesigned its exhibit but claims the purpose for its second run in Seattle remains the same: to connect people with what is inside all of us.
While those that have seen the "Bodies" exhibit have called it "fascinating" and "educational," I have reservations about calling the exhibit anything but morbid and disgusting.
The exhibit has stirred up controversy wherever it travels, garnering attention from those that call it a freak-show and those that question how the bodies were attained.
While "Bodies" and every other traveling cadaver exhibit are adamant about the fact that the bodies in use were either "unclaimed" or donated to science, there are still those that question these statements. It has been no secret that many of the bodies come from China, and Chinese Human Rights Activists have been raising questions about the plastinated remains since the exhibits started.
While executives at Premier Exhibitions strongly deny using the bodies of executed prisoners or of anyone that died of unnatural causes, former employees that provide bodies to such companies recount tales of going on "body runs" where the bodies of executed prisoners are sold for about $200.
All body-attaining controversy aside, such grotesque display of a human body disturbs me in many ways. While some will make the argument that people in the U.S. donate their bodies to science every day, their bodies are not made into models that travel the country making money for a corporation. Those that donate their bodies to science in China are probably not aware they will be plastinated and travel the world.
There are much better, less morbid and less money-hungry ways to study human anatomy. Using the bodies of human beings in such a grotesque and greedy way is something to be ashamed of. If I were to donate my remains to science, I would hope it would go toward research, not so I could be someone's Sunday afternoon entertainment.
Bodies not meant to be on display in such a manner
Published: Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Updated: Thursday, November 12, 2009 01:11
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5 comments
This exhibit displays full body cadavers as well as human body parts, organs, fetuses and embryos that come from cadavers of Chinese citizens or residents. With respect to the human parts, organs, fetuses and embryos you are viewing, Premier relies solely on the representations of its Chinese partners and cannot independently verify that they do not belong to persons executed while incarcerated in Chinese prisons." So why is Seattle showing desecrated cadavers of prisoners? For education?
I am really disappointed that Seattle University students aren't more adamant about opposing this exhibit due to the large amount of publicity around the controversy of harvesting bodies. Premier Exhibits, the company that supplies Bodies...The Exhibition has been unable to provide any documentation for the people they use for display. These bodies were not donated! And as you said, there is reason to believe that the company was involved in buying bodies of executed political prisoners off the black market.
I am completely shocked by the indifference the Seattle University community, a community that claims to value justice and human rights, shows toward this exhibit.
Whatever the educational value, it is not proportional to supporting a company known for exploiting a terrible system from a government known for killing people without much cause. The reason the bodies weren't "claimed" is because the relatives could be killed for associating themselves with the political prisoner. Seattle University students should re-think their priorities. And if its "education" you want, try "Body Worlds" the original exhibit that has full documentation for every single one of its DONATED bodies.
However, you make a good point in saying we should be showing more respect for the dead than commercially profiting off a human body on display.
Hopefully people will re-think their values after they read your article.