Reader comments
'Body Worlds' exhibit coming to The Leonardo

stolen bodies | 6:48 a.m. June 5, 2008

Is this the exhibit that I saw on a 20/20 special where most of the bodies are illegally obtained? The exhibit may be educational but the means by which the bodies were purportedly obtained are horrific. I would strongly encourage everyone to abstain from giving your money to these people. It's a shame that SLC would even host this thing.

common sense | 8:20 a.m. June 5, 2008

CAREFUL here!! They museum may end up having to pay the proposed "nudity tax"..

Kate | 8:36 a.m. June 5, 2008

Where is the evidence that these bodies are stolen? Thousands of Americans donate their bodies to science every single year for medical research. Nearly every college campus contains a human cadaver lab, where specimens are dissected in order for students to learn the anatomy and physiology of the human body. I was a lab instructor in a human cadaver lab, and we received new bodies every single year.
My uncle had a rare form of Parkinson's and donated his body to science this year. He had to go through a very long legal process of ensuring that his remains would go to science.
These bodies are not stolen, and the people who have donated their bodies to this exhibit want others to learn through their donation. I think this will be a great exhibit, and I will definitely be there! It's nice to see Utah getting some more traveling exhibits.

Comments continue below

To: stolen bodies | 8:39 a.m. June 5, 2008

This is NOT the enhibitor who uses stolen bodies from China and Thailand. I saw that same investigative report and was disgusted by it. Since I have wanted to see this exhibit for years I did some research to make sure and discovered that it is a different company that was doing that. Gunther Von Hagens Body Worlds uses bodies that were all donated for this purpose. It's a great exhibit and I am thrilled it is coming to SL. I'm gonna buy my tickets today!

No | 8:45 a.m. June 5, 2008

Don't be ignorant. Body Worlds has documentation available on-site showing consent for every body that's on display. The rumors about bodies being stolen from Chinese mental hospitals were a hoax. Stop watching 20/20 because it's become nothing more than tabloid journalism.

Body Worlds is an exciting and educational scientific display - I hope everybody who can go does.

a thought | 8:48 a.m. June 5, 2008

Dont be surprised if someone comes up with the idea that this exhibit MUST be subject to the proposed nudity tax.

Jenn | 8:48 a.m. June 5, 2008

I'm wondering if you're thinking of a different exhibit (I heard the same thing somewhere, too). Here's the statement from the website on their body donation:

Body Donation for Plastination

All anatomical specimens on display in the BODY WORLDS exhibitions are authentic. 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. Many donors underscore that by donating their body, they want to be useful to others even after their death. Their selfless donations allow us to gain unique insights into human bodies, which have thus far been reserved for physicians at best. Therefore, we wish to thank the living and deceased body donors.

Duh | 8:59 a.m. June 5, 2008

Are you stupid or something? Did you read the article? Every last one of these bodies has been donated previous to the donor's death. There are some that do use unethical means to obtain specimens. This is not one of those, so quit being so knee-jerk reactive and try using that mass of grey matter above your shoulders. I for one am excited that something so world-renowned is coming to little Salt Lake. Save your own dollars and vocal puke for someone less informed.

not quite | 9:05 a.m. June 5, 2008

No. That's Bodies, the one in Vegas. This is totally above board. There's a big difference. Body Worlds has a donor program that is totally legit, verified, re-verified, vetted, publicly scrutinized, etc.

Kimber | 9:19 a.m. June 5, 2008

NO! This is NOT the exhibit that was featured in the 20/20 story that was a cheap imitation exhibit. This is the original exhibit that has a good reputation and can prove that their bodies are all donated and verified. Go to their website and do your research first!

Anonymous | 9:38 a.m. June 5, 2008

I think so many people go because they just want to gawk at preserved dead bodies.

Topher | 10:10 a.m. June 5, 2008

While it may be true that people want to "gawk at dead bodies," no one can come away from this exhibit without a feeling of awe toward the complexity of their own body. I have a DVD from a previous iteration of the BodyWorlds exhibit, and it is amazing. I can't wait to attend this in person.

Susie | 10:26 a.m. June 5, 2008

The whole point of the exhibit is to gawk at preserved dead bodies.

Do YOU have a point?

Not for gawking | 10:54 a.m. June 5, 2008

The Human Body is absolutely amazing. I've taken anatomy and studied on many different cadavers myself. The people who donate their bodies to such science should be thanked and viewed with the highest regard and reverence. You can't learn from a textbook what you can learn from the real thing. This is not for gawking. This is for intelectual study and growth. You can be sure I'll be there.

I Don't Know... | 10:57 a.m. June 5, 2008

Yes, the body is an amazing "machine". Actually, the most amazing machine in the entire universe, and yet I don't know if I'd feel comfortable looking at the innards / "what's left behind" of a former, living human being.

At some point in the future I hope to understand every single thing about our mortal temples, but I don't know if this is how I want to learn.

Diagrams? Models? Bring it on! Totally preserved humans? Hmmmm....doubtful.

Seen the exhibit | 11:04 a.m. June 5, 2008

I have seen the exhibit in Dallas, TX. It was amazing. The only part I didn't care for was the woman with the fetus. I felt maybe she should have tried to save her baby.
Also, the exhibit is not for young children.

Excited | 11:49 a.m. June 5, 2008

I am excited for this exhibit. My daughter has tried to get me to go forever. Seems whenever we're in a city where the exhibit is, they are sold out on the days we're there.

My daughter took her anatomy/physiology lab a year ago, and loved it. Taking another next semester in preparation for med school. Son and his wife are docs also.

As far as kids seeing the exhibit, I think it would depend on the child. My 8 year old grand daughter will be the first in line. She gets the anatomy CD and studies it and is totally fascinated by it. She can name quite a few body parts at her age. I'm sure it could be very overwhelming to a child that has no idea there are body parts that make up a person.

Hope to get my husband there -- faints at the sight of blood. Figure we can leave him on the floor at the front door. I'm sure everytime he comes to and looks around and sees the exhibit he'll be out again, so in addition to the exhibit being educational, it may prove to provide some humor also.

James Bond | 12:09 p.m. June 5, 2008

I saw this on the last James Bond movie and that segment made the whole movie. I was totally fascinated by that scene and loved the movie because of it. I hear James Bond is a big fan of the exhibit.

Austria | 1:40 p.m. June 5, 2008

I saw this exhibit in Vienna, Austria back in 1999 as part of a zone-wide P-day. It was awesome.

I Don't Know Either.... | 4:50 p.m. June 5, 2008

I totally agree with I Don't Know. The human body is miraculous and beautiful, but I don't think I want to--for want of a better word--"gawk" at skinned, butchered, and posed corpses. It must be amazing though and most of the people who commented here and millions of others seem to think it's a great thing. I won't judge them, I'm just speaking for myself. If you want to enjoy it as a cultural experience, go for it.

George H Zinn | 8:20 p.m. June 5, 2008

I saw this exhibit two years ago in Denver, and it was nothing short of fascinating. You can read anything morbid and macabre into it that you wish, but seeing the complexity and intricities of the human body and its deepest recesses and secrets is one of the greatest wonders of creation. We take this magnificent machine too much for granted, and seeing this exhibit changed my perspective forever and was very impressive. Keep an open mind, and go see Body Worlds 3!!!

AZ | 8:35 p.m. June 5, 2008

Saw this at the Arizona Science Center last year with a 7th grade Gifted class on a Field Trip. Pretty amazing. Especially brought home to the kids (they ALL mentioned it!) what smoking does to the lungs- as there were normal lungs there and smokers lungs on display. On the way out was a place for people to throw away their cigarettes- it was full! Also had various stages of fetuses- a friend had just had a baby and her daughter was on the tour and was fascinated. Very educational to see how complex we really are. Certainly makes you think!

B.B. | 9:29 p.m. June 5, 2008

I saw a similar exhibit in Atlanta a few years ago and it was fascinating. I bought a book there that I use constantly when I'm teaching about the different body systems in my classes. I hope I will be able to take my students to this exhibit as a field trip this year! I'm excited that one is coming locally!

Megan | 11:06 p.m. June 5, 2008

This exhibit is very much worth your while. I live in Arizona and it was recently in Phoenix. I attended with my Anatomy class and it's amazing. I am coming back to Utah for school and will go see it again, it's that cool. And no, the bodies are not obtained illegaly. They are bodies the people have agreed to donate specifically for this purpose. It is a very educational and interesting experience. You should go.

prunee | 12:19 a.m. June 6, 2008

I saw this in San Diego last year. The most facinating exhibit you will ever see! The entire nervous system extracted! Amazing...

This is a must see

K. Reid Barlow | 8:33 p.m. June 12, 2008

When I first heard about the exhibit I had a memory come back to me of visiting Dachau and seeing lamp shades made from the human skin of Concentration Camp victims. According to the Utah Criminal Code section 76-9-704 an exhibit using part or all of a dead human's remains must meet certain strict requirements or else be considered "abuse or desecration of a dead human body." Many would argue that the exhibit has a meritorious purpose: to further our appreciation of the human body. No matter how much our appreciation will be enhanced by this "exhibit," the human body should be treated with great respect and not displayed in an "art" form or as a "lampshade."

Omhra | 3:52 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008

About time.

Anonymous | 5:50 a.m. Sept. 22, 2008

Hey! what about the ethics of displaying human bodies in this way, and how does showing these bodies to lay people who are not in the medical profession help advance science. Also; how much money are they making of these exhibits and is any part of this money benefiting science any way.

Melinda | 8:24 a.m. Sept. 22, 2008

I highly recommend you all read the book "Stiff" by Mary Roach. She describes many of the things that can be done with human remains. From anatomy labs, to organ donation to actual human crash test dummies. It is written with total respect for the dead and their families. I can't wait to see this exhibit. I think it sounds fascinating.

knayrb | 7:15 a.m. Sept. 24, 2008

I went to the exhibit yesterday and have to say it was fantastic. I hope it inspires younger people to pursue the medical field. I wish I had now. I learned many things from attending. I learned I need to take better care of my health. It was very tasteful and educational. I would be honored to have my body used in this exhibit and in no way did I consider the exhibit a desecration of a body. For me it was another testimony of the existence of a Divine Creator. I'm very squeamish and it didn't affect me at all. I'm also very religious and actually felt a Spirit of respect and gratitude for those that donated their bodies so that the rest of us can be educated both academically and Spiritually.

against closed minded people | 12:26 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

20/20 whatever! Do you believe everything you here on TV? This is science, and the bodies were not stolen.
If you want to abstain from going, then do. This is a most fantastic opportunity to see something really wonderful. No one in their right mind would disrespect these bodies. It was their right to donate them for the world to see and learn. I have been in cadaver labs, and taken my students there to study anatomy and learn about muscles, bones and organs. We learn about ourselves by the generosity of those that have gone before. Good friends have donated their bodies for this purpose in labs I've been in before they passed on.

ethics? | 12:37 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

What about the ethics? No to many object when an inappropriate female body parades around half/all naked for everyone to see, like it or not, and very much alive. That's when you should worry about ethics.
Here you don't have to go see it if you don't want to.

Anonymous | 10:11 p.m. April 21, 2009

I am an embalmer and this was very interesting to me. To learn embalming I first had to practice on danated bodies. The exhibit is in very good taste the bodies are displayed in a pleasing manor, with dignity and respect they deserve. I would be happy to donate my body to them to do with as they see fit. I do understand how sensitive this issue is and the concentration camp comments are not lost on me. That was barbaric. Please go see the exhibit and keep in mind that the decedents in the exhibit only meant to educate, inspire and help human beings understand their bodies.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

1 photo

Courtesywww.bodyworlds.com

The Gunther von Hagens sculpture is one that will be coming to The Leonardo for the Body Worlds exhibit, which begins Sept. 19 and runs through Jan. 11. The exhibit features more than 200 items and the debut of a special presentation on the heart.