Introduction

How we study the body has been a controversial, but a necessary educational tool throughout thousands of years of history. Using cadavers was seen as horrific and a violation to the human body, but science and cures for life threatening diseases would not be here today if it weren’t for that initial “vile” practice. Today we see two examples of science pertaining to research on a corpse in my posts below. The two practices are very different, one preserving the human body for the viewing of the public and in science, and the other to witness the decomposition of bodies. Both examples of the study of corpses have opposition to the practice and praise in the science world. The value of this information is to educate you on the two practices, and provide you with the information to make your own judgments on the necessity of the two. Perhaps after reading my blog you will be inclined to offer up your body for science, or argue against the practices.

Gunther von Hagen's Body Worlds

Education: Student guide

Body Worlds claims the goal of their exhibit is to be an educational experience, “BODY WORLDS” aims to educate the public about the inner workings of the human body and shows the effects of poor health, good health, and lifestyle choices. It is also presented in the hopes that it will motivate visitors to learn more about the science of anatomy and physiology” (Body Worlds, 2013). The student guide offers many interesting and engaging activities for students to complete while viewing the exhibit. There is no denying that the intricate plastination of the bodies offers an extraordinary opportunity to learn from the structures, and the student guide creates a way for students to apply the exhibit to class curriculum. However, one questions von Hagens’ goal to educate as just a way to make money. Universities, textbook companies, and teachers all make money off of education, but they’re not utilizing dead bodies for a very lucrative profit. The provocative and suggestive form that some of the bodies are in seem unnecessary if the exhibit were purely for educational purposes. Several of the exhibits odd formations and cut outs suggest that they are created to arouse and excite viewers instead of educate them. Von Hagen is no doubt making huge amounts of money off of his exhibits which reveals the true goal behind his exhibit. His claim of education is simply a justification of his lucrative businesses that relies on the presentation of corpses.

Science: More comprehensible way to study the body

The video shows the intricate process of plastination, and how it differs from other forms of preserving bodies for science. Plastination offers a way for scientists to study human anatomy without the harsh smell of chemicals, and in many different forms. Cadavers only last a couple of years, but through plastination bodies can be studied for numerous years without having to be thrown out. The ability to cut the body in extremely thin slices offers a different way for scientists and researchers to view the body. However, plastination doesn’t offer the same hands on approach as cadavers do because once they’re plastinated they’re stuck in that form forever.

Religion: Christian Commentary

Audio- Eric Mataxas

Many criticisms have been made of von Hagen’s exhibit regarding the morality of presenting human corpses to the public. A Christian opinion comes from a Christian radio show discussing the morality of the commentators daughter viewing Body Worlds for a class field trip. Metaxas rejects Body Worlds as a moral educational exhibit for two reasons. The first being the controversy of where von Hagen’s actually getting the bodies from. There have been claims that several of the bodies were not donated, but actually collected in very unethical ways from executions in China. The second reason Metaxas rejects Body Worlds is for the violation of the human body, “By contrast, Scripture teaches that the human body, even one that is deceased, has great value. It's a belief that comes from the Incarnation — God taking on human form. And of course, we as Christians believe that these bodies of ours will be resurrected as was Jesus’ body. Sadly, even the faithful sometimes forget the Christian teaching that the body deserves great respect — which is why my daughter's Christian school thought nothing of taking children to see this ghoulish exhibit of cadavers. But when I explained why such exhibits were wrong, I’m happy to report that they canceled the field trip” (Metaxas, Breakpoint). This idea seems like an unfair accusation of Body Worlds because Mataxas has never actually visited the exhibit and is assuming because von Hagen is an atheist he is defiling the body. Allowing his daughter and classmates to view the exhibit could have actually taught them to respect human bodies by viewing the abuse the body takes through unhealthy risky activities like smoking, drinking, and being obese. It is clear Mataxes made a presumption about the exhibit, and set the goal of convincing the class to not go to the visit. He achieved this goal because he seemed like a credible source to the Christian school because he is a commentator on a popular Christian website. Furthermore, he did not end the field trip through careful examination of the exhibit because he did not take the time to even visit it, but utilized his credibility in the Christian community. Mataxas is not a credible source based on his little knowledge of the actual exhibit, and the assumptions he makes about Body Worlds and its creator.

Entertainment: Shock Intrigue Amusement Disgust

The average price of viewing a Body Worlds is about $20 and there are 7 different exhibits touring the world. The provocative form of the pregnant woman at the Body Worlds exhibit is an example of the fine line von Hagen has created between entertainment and education. One must ask certain questions of this exhibit. Is it really necessary to have this woman propped in such a position that if she were alive would seem sexually suggestive? If this woman donated the corpse of herself and her unborn child would she have given consent for being shown this way? The interesting poses and forms of these preserved corpses is what makes the exhibit so interesting, but it also makes von Hagen’s argument that Body Worlds is created for educational purposes uncredible. Part of the draw to the exhibit is the buzz in the community, and the arguments being made against the exhibit. This excites and interests people, making them want to see it for themselves. A comparable example to this is a show like Cirque de Soleil. The show is different, unexpected, and sometimes even sexual. Part of the draw is to se people perform and act in unimaginable unexpected ways- contorting their bodies in a way that would almost seem unnatural. Humans have the same reaction to Body Worlds: shock, intrigue, amusement and even disgust.

University of Tennessee Knoxville Body Farm

Education

Body Farms at the University of Tennessee has collected over 600 bodies donated for the study of forensic science. The bodies are studied as they decompose in different settings such as buried under cement, laid out in the open, placed in a pond, etc. The collections from this data are used for the investigation of crime scenes. Through research bodies are able to be recovered and identified in real criminal cases. While the name “Body Farm” may seem unusual and a little bit brash, the actual work being done is astounding.

Entertainment

The Body Farm’s only goal is to collect research on the decomposition of bodies, and solely that. This claim is supported through several examples. Knoxville does not offer tours of the bodies to anyone. Even family members of the donated body can not tour the site which is made explicitly clear to families of the deceased. This is out of respect for the corpses, and to ensure that the research is not being tampered with. The University is not making any money off of the collection of these decomposing bodies, and if anything they’re losing money because research can be a very costly and timely activity. However, even if the University does not support the public gaining entertainment by the Body Farm that doesn’t mean people are not trying to do so. I found several websites trying to use google maps to view the deceased bodies in the Body Farm. Every website failed to do so as the picture quality is poor, and no one actually knows where the bodies are in the acreage of land set aside for the Body Farm.

Website attempting to view the bodies

Religion

A question out the FAQ on the Body Farms website

In order to donate one's body to the Body Farm traditional religious burial practices may not be able to be followed. The Body Farm wants to receive the body in a timely manner in order to conduct research immediately after the death as many bodies decompose very fast in certain settings. Also in order to research the decomposition of a body the body must not be embalmed or cremated so they can view the natural process. This would make it very difficult to have an open casket viewing at the funeral as the body would already be giving off vile fumes. There are no large groups of religious bodies against the Body Farm. This is due to the productive goal of using dead bodies for criminal investigation. Unlike Body Worlds, there is little grey area of questioning the purpose of the Body Farm.

Works Cited

"Body Donation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)." UT Knoxville. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. <http://fac.utk.edu/donationfaqs.html>.

"The Body Farm & Beyond." YouTube. YouTube, 20 Jan. 2008. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qZmLo8qIx4>.

"Body Farm (University of Tennessee Forensic Anthropology Facility) (Google Maps)." Virtual Globetrotting. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. <http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/body-farm-university-of-tennessee-forensic-anthropology-facility/view/?service=0>.

Body Worlds. Gunther Von Hagen's Body Worlds the Original Exhibition Student Guide. N.p.: Body Worlds, n.d. Bodyworlds.com. Body Worlds, Sept. 2013. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. <http://www.bodyworlds.com/Downloads/englisch/Exhibition/free%20Material/Guides/BW_STUDENTGUIDE_US.pdf>.

Body Worlds- The Plastination Technique. YouTube. Body Worlds, 16 May 2013. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgAQS16cPVQ>.

Fanpop.com. Cirque Du Soleil, n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. <http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Cirque-du-Soleil-cirque-du-soleil-155503_500_353.jpg>.

Metaxas, Eric. "Re: 'Ghoulish Art' the Body Worlds Exhibit." Weblog comment. Breakpoint Commentaries. Breakpoint, 18 May 2012. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. <http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/19397>.

N.d. Gunther Von Hagen's Body Worlds. Bodyworlds.com. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. <http://www.bodyworlds.com/en/prelude.html#images>.