"public display of corpses is not always bad"

The political struggle between the people and one old power-mad profession is far from over, and we are losing.

Facts:

The UK govt is in the process of modifying the law so that von Hagen's "Bodyworlds" Exhibition can never return to the country.

The exhibition just closed after being open for nearly a year, and being attended by nearly a million people.

The exhibition consists of numerous actual human bodies, many in free standing poses, dissected to varying degrees, together with various body parts. They are all preserved by a new process which impregnates them so totally that they are effectively transmuted into safe, odourfree coloured plastic.

Personal reaction:

I attended the exhibition with some trepidation, both because of what was on display, and because of the way it was displyed. The pictures I had seen suggested that some "poses" had a flippant, exhibitionist or even humourous character. Nothing could have been further from the truth. The accompanying audio guidebook, and the extensive back-up labelling, made it clear that this was a totally sober and dedicated attempt at anatomical education for the general public. The superficially flamboyant elements were in fact absolutely in keeping with that aim when no longer seen out of context.

For me the exhibition was a revelation. It completely revolutionised my attitude to my own body, to health, to the beauty and complexity of what evolution has wrought, to the tenacity and fragility of human life. In my opinion it would improve the world and human relations if literally everyone had the opportunity to see such an exhibition, and indeed if like exhibits could be permanently on display in every major city museum.

In relation to the situation we now face re Iraq, I don't think anyone who has seen this exhibition could avoid a drastic decrease in his willingness to expose his, or other people's bodies to the rigours of war.

It is strange and inexplicable to me that these figures, many apparently the very prototype of the horrid "figure of death", are absolutely devoid of any such vibrations of fear or disgust. Instead they resonate with quiet peacefulness and a strange reassurance. Children of all ages were there, as well as the very old, and the only attitude I saw on any face was a deep thoughtfulness, and a detailed gaze deeper and more intense than I can fully explain. We were really looking into ourselves for the very first time.

I understand that this description sounds exaggerated, and overemotional, and normally I would agree with you. That's precisely why you need to see it for yourself.

Significance of the attack by the Authorities:

The UK authorities are acting to outlaw this and similar exhibitions (see quotes below). There have been similar threats in Germany, and I understand that new EU regulations are being considered.

The objections are, I understand, doctor-driven. I feel very strongly that we as human beings have an absolute right to the fullest information on the interiors of our bodies. The medics are closing ranks (and blinds, see below) to retain control of what they regard as their secret and private information.

One reason I am posting here is that I feel there is something very deeply political going on here, the last remnants of a very old struggle between people and various "priesthoods". An echo of the burning at the stake of those heretics who translated the Bible into the vernacular. Of our struggles against those who sought (and still seek) to keep the law as esoteric mumbo-jumbo beyond the comprehension of mere mortals.
To me this attempt by medics to possess totally our very bodies, and deny us even a sight of them, is perhaps the most perfidious of all, and unlike the others, it is still here, lording it over us with absolutely undiminished strength and arrogance.

What can we do?

In the UK: Write to your MP promptly before its too late.
In other countries: Investigate your current law. Invite von Hagens exhibition and see how your authorities react. If you travel about, call in to Munich or Seoul to see if you agree with me.

References and background:

1. von Hagen's website:  http://www.koerperwelten.com/en/home.asp
a good pdf:  http://www.koerperwelten.com/downloads/THE%20DOCUMENT.xpd72dpi.pdf

2. A good general source on the anatomy topic and surrounding contemporary issues:
 http://www.channel4.com/science/microsites/A/anatomists/findout1.html

3. The Uk's new draft Code of Practice intended to ban such exhibitions is here:
 http://www.doh.gov.uk/tissue/humanbodiescodeofpractice.pdf

The following are relevant extracts from the Code of Practice:

5. It applies when the body part is imported or exported fresh, frozen, plastinated, dried, embalmed or preserved in some way.....

13. Human body parts should only be imported or exported for approved training and teaching courses or for bone fide clinical research. In the UK, the relevant training body for continuing professional development
should have approved such courses. Research must have been approved by an appropriate Research Ethics Committee (REC) and, where research is funded, the research funding body......

34. Courses involving their use should be properly supervised and access restricted to those enrolled in the particular course(s) ....... When not in use the body parts should be covered and the entry doors of the training /research room locked. The windows of rooms used for teaching or research on body parts should be obscured to prevent unauthorised observation.