When last we mentioned Body Worlds, the international exhibition of skinless cadavers with their muscles, nerves, and tendons intact displayed in various theatrical poses, people were in a huff over one pair of corpses caught in flagrante delicto (specifically, in the Reverse Cowgirl position). Well, we’re assuming since there’s no such thing as bad publicity, the show’s creators have decided to run with it by dedicating an entire exhibit to sex — though they promise it’s not to just catalogue a bunch of interesting Kama Sutra poses, but “to show the anatomy and the function.” The exhibit will apparently be tweaked depending on where it’s showing, as they consider whether or not to represent homosexual sex and how much clothing to put on or leave off the bodies: Apparently, Berlin needs more coverage than Zurich, while Switzerland is up for anything (natch)!
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September 15th, 2009 - 1:01 pm
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September 15th, 2009 - 4:39 pm
It’s unfortunate that there is no comment on the ethics of this exhibit. Placing cadavers in sexual positions is not providing insight into the anatomy of sex; rather, it is an abuse of the gift of a human body that was intended to be used for the furthering of knowledge in a reverent way. Usually when cadavers are used for dissection, the deceased donated his or her body to science before death. “Body Worlds” website does claim that “They belonged to people who declared during their lifetime that their bodies should be made available after their deaths for the qualification of physicians and the instruction of laypersons.”
Did these people have any idea that their bodies would be contorted into sexual positions? Most likely, no. It is probable that at the point pre-death when the person decided to donate his/her body, he or she thought that the body would likely go to a medical school. Just because someone donated his or her body to science does not mean that they forfeit the right to decent treatment. We have to remember that this cadaver was a living, breathing person not so long ago. Donating one’s body does not mean that the donor does not care what happens to it after he or she dies.
When medical students dissect cadavers, they are instructed to treat the bodies with respect. BodyWorks is using the premise of providing an “educational experience” to turn a profit, while at the same time treating cadavers disrespectfully.
We should also remember that some people donate their bodies to science because they or their family cannot cover the cost of a funeral and burial or cremation. Propping cadavers into sexual positions is not educational, it is exploitative. This flagrant disrespect for the dead is shameful and disgusting.