Attending an exhibit featuring dead bodies

[HannahLisa]

So, not only do the dead and unborn babies not give their consent to be aborted, but they are then put on display without their permission as well.

The babies were not aborted. The babies were miscarriages. I think that, because of the way abortions are done, it would be impossible to use aborted babies in the exhibit.

 

[mapleoak]

The babies were not aborted. The babies were miscarriages. I think that, because of the way abortions are done, it would be impossible to use aborted babies in the exhibit.

But I am sure, aborted or otherwise, they didn’t consent to having their dead bodies made a spectacle of.

 

[kell0618]

I went to one today in Albuquerque. It was neat… and I did notice they were all Asian.

Pretty cool to see all of the muscles and organs.

Please do check out the abc news link. You’ll find that the ones from China are alleged to be executed prisoners.

WARNING: the photos are disturbing. See also this particular photo which is part of those I linked to above. You’ll find fully clothed individuals with their hands and feet tied, dead and being hosed down in the snow. Animals get treated better than this.

 

[Namesake]

I recently read where a couple of bishops told their Catholic schools not to schedule field trips to the Bodies exhibit.

Archbishop Pilarczyk (Cincinnati) said “The Church has consistently maintained that dead bodies need to be treated in a way that recognizes the dignity of the human person. Within this framework, the use of bodies for scientific research and educational purposes has long been viewed as permissible provided that the consent of the deceased or the deceased’s family has been obtained. The public exhibition of plasticized bodies, unclaimed, unreverenced, and unidentified, is a different matter entirely. It is unseemly and inappropriate.” Link]

Bishop Foys (Covington) had similar concerns. Link]

I had a chance to view the exhibit some time ago and passed. Even if someone donates their body to science they’re treated with dignity. I don’t think this qualifies.

I don’t know the teaching of the Church, but having dissected lots of human bodies, my opinion is that this is just plain wrong.

 

[quasimodo]

this thing reminds of a carnival freak show - an expensive, impressive freak show like something PT Barnum would have put on if he could have.

See the six legged goat, the two headed calf, and the skeleton dancing with its own skin!!!

 

[mapleoak]

The babies were not aborted. The babies were miscarriages. I think that, because of the way abortions are done, it would be impossible to use aborted babies in the exhibit.

Aborted or not, they did not give their approval to have their dead bodies made a spectacle of. Also it is not impossible. Since abortions are mutilation (albeit that which is performed on a live human being) and these displays are mutilation, what is the difference?

 

[Renton405]

I went to one today in Albuquerque. It was neat… and I did notice they were all Asian.

Pretty cool to see all of the muscles and organs.

That really worries me, why were they all asian? That dosen’t make sense.

And I have a feeling the babies who died in those misscarriages would not want to be put up in display for everyone to gawk at. Those humans did not give consent.

 

[kell0618]

That really worries me, why were they all asian? That dosen’t make sense.

And I have a feeling the babies who died in those misscarriages would not want to be put up in display for everyone to gawk at. Those humans did not give consent.

Please see my reply above yours.

Peace

 

[HannahLisa]

Aborted or not, they did not give their approval to have their dead bodies made a spectacle of. Also it is not impossible. Since abortions are mutilation (albeit that which is performed on a live human being) and these displays are mutilation, what is the difference?

The babies in the exhibit were not mutilated at all. From what I could see they all looked perfectly whole, which was the heartbreaking thing about it. I think there may have been a sign at the exhibit saying they died from natural causes, as well. I don’t see how they could have displayed the deceased babies in the exhibit without the parents’ permission because of that.

 

[Mystic_Warrior]

I’m really horrified at such a thing. My Lord and my God, have mercy upon these who have passed on. May their bodies be laid to rest and their souls be in your hands.

I make no judgments on anyone visiting this exhibit, but I can tell you that I would not go to see it or pay my hard-earned cash to keep it going.

Regardless of whether or not the people donated their bodies, it is repulsive. When people make such poor decisions like this doesn’t mean we should also make a poor choice to be a part of it.

Peace…

MW

 

[teme]

I don’t really see how it is disrespectful. The exhibit is not making fun of the dead people in any way. In fact, I see it as glorifying God’s amazing creation. People who’ve visited this exhibit say it’s incredible and very interesting to see the different parts of the body and understand how each of them perform a different function. I don’t think the exhibit is saying “look at all these dead people!” I think it’s trying to say “look, this is how we humans look underneath our skin and this is how our bodies work.”

Can anyone explain how someone split in half giving himself a high-five glorifies God’s creation; or a skeleton holding his own skin? There are ways to display, learn about, and honor the wonder of our bodies without displaying deceased humans as circus acts…

Sounds like there are two different “shows” we’re talking about here. The “Bodies” exhibition, which was (or maybe still is) in Cincinnati, and is touring the country is the one that both the Archbishop of Cincinnati and the Bishop of Covington have spoken against. I am not familiar with the other you are speaking about, but it sounds less offensive.

 

[HannahLisa]

The “Bodies” exhibition, which was (or maybe still is) in Cincinnati, and is touring the country is the one that both the Archbishop of Cincinnati and the Bishop of Covington have spoken against. I am not familiar with the other you are speaking about, but it sounds less offensive.

There are at least two similar shows, Bodies and Bodyworlds. They are similar in theme, but Bodies has some questionable things (such as where exactly did the bodies come from?) that Bodyworlds does not. I believe the OP was talking about Bodies, but since Bodyworlds is similar it falls under the general category of an exhibit featuring dead bodies.

 

[SoCalRC]

There are at least two similar shows, Bodies and Bodyworlds. They are similar in theme, but Bodies has some questionable things (such as where exactly did the bodies come from?) that Bodyworlds does not. I believe the OP was talking about Bodies, but since Bodyworlds is similar it falls under the general category of an exhibit featuring dead bodies.

As far as I know, all three of the BodyWorlds’ exhibits acknowledge each donor, and all donors were voluntary and all deaths were natural causes. While it might be gruesome to some, the plastination of soft tissue makes it quite a remarkable educational experience into human anatomy.

I have seen criticisms from bishops about Bodies, particularly regarding the issue of respect and reverence for the donors, but I have not seen any statements about BodyWorlds.

That said, I am not sure I would recommend an outing to BodyWorlds for students below the 7th or 8th grade level even if the local bishop has no objections.

 

[HannahLisa]

As far as I know, all three of the BodyWorlds’ exhibits acknowledge each donor, and all donors were voluntary and all deaths were natural causes. While it might be gruesome to some, the plastination of soft tissue makes it quite a remarkable educational experience into human anatomy.

Well, they don’t exactly tell you details about the donors, or even the names (that would make it a very weird and uncomfortable experience indeed!). They do acknowledge them, just not in that way …

I saw the exhibit as a field trip for my high school honors anatomy and physiology class. It was very educational indeed.

 

[SoCalRC]

Well, they don’t exactly tell you details about the donors, or even the names (that would make it a very weird and uncomfortable experience indeed!). They do acknowledge them, just not in that way …

I saw the exhibit as a field trip for my high school honors anatomy and physiology class. It was very educational indeed.

I should have been clear. They explain, in broad terms, the background at the exhibits themselves. But you can obtain details (age, cause of death, etc.) for legitimate research and study on any specific exhibit. The exception would be identity, which is generally not disclosed for reserach because of privacy laws - but which is recorded and registered.

In other words, although it’s purpose is principally educational, the BodyWorld exhibits are, for all appearances, legitimate and appropriate medical science. In contrast, I have a lot of problems with the Bodies exhibit. I suppose that it could be educational, but the lack of meticulous records, the Chinese connection, etc. really troubles me. And, frankly, I found it macabre and exploitive.

 

[RainDown]

I’ve never been to either of these exhibits, but last year I learned about it from a book, and then I looked it up online. I was disgusted (partially because I am a queasy person) and sick. Almost literally sick. I could not eat for about a day, and when I started to again, I could not get those images out of my mind while I was chewing and swallowing. Not even drink! And a few months later I was looking through a magazine I subscribed to and then I accidentally saw another image (I wouldn’t have looked if I knew it was there) and the whole eating thing started all over again.

We are dust and we are meant to return to dust, not plastic.

I’m curious, I’ve heard that von Hagens said that there is an unceasing demand for the bodies he plastinates. So eventually, he’s going to have too many. How would he dispose of them? My guess is he would either cremate them or dump them right into the garbage. Ok, maybe an exaggeration. But how could he cremate bodies that are plastic? That would be an environmental hazard.

About the executed prisoners, you’d think whoever is plastinating the body would see some signs that a person was executed before he began the process on the body. Like, bullet holes in the back of the head, etc.