Modern technology has taken mummification to a
whole different level naturally,after death the body goes into decomposition at
a fast rate,this causes the internal body structure and the flesh to
disintergrate,leaving nothing but hair and a skeletal remainder.Consequentially,anatomist
had very little to comprehensively study a decaying corpse.
That all changed when a German anatomy assistant
named Gunther Von Hagens invented and patented
a preservation method called plastination.The procedure involves the use
of a vacuum that desiccates the bodily fluid from a cadaver and substitutes
them with plastic polymers.
The finished result is fully preserved pliable
bodies that Von and his team of assistants transform into works of art by peeling
the corpse open and by creating anatomically correct sculptures using
hundreds of donated bodies.
After Von refined his plastination method he
started BODY WORLDS-a traveling and
controversial exhibition of plastinated specimens that are displayed in dynamic
poses.There's “the reclining women in the eight month of pregnancy” She
recumbent on her side with her midsection cut open to reveal her fully
developed fetus.
Von exhibits have already attracted more than 25
million paid attendees since 1996 when it was first unveiled.Scientist consider
Von exhibitions to be nothing more than
a three dimensional medical dictionary,but to Von detractors and Catholic
boycotters he's "Dr.death with a traveling freak show" who has raked
in millions of dollars by "playing with dead bodies"
His exhibitions cover every aspect of the human
anatomy along with dozens of plastinated bodies,there's an array of organs
displayed in glass cass,everything from 23 feet of intestines to enlarged
spleens,hearts,brains,bowels,wombs,genitalias,down to nicotine-charred lungs.
Von cornucopia of body parts are furnished
from the two labs in China and Kyrgyzstan where he employs more than 200
proficient anatomists.The bodies are provided soley from uncompensated
volunteers who donate their corpse to Vons Body Worlds.Infact one segment of
the exhibit is entirely devoted to expoding the donation procedures. Thousands of living people have
already signed up to donate their remains once they pass away.
