AmericanPapist Comments
So I saw the Bodies Exhibit in NYC about 1 month ago without really understanding the controversy behind it. From what I have gathered, the displays vary considerably from each city.
From what others have told me, many Bodies exhibits have showcased different bodies engaged in everyday activities (playing poker etc.). With the idea of its cool to see what our bodies are doing on the inside when we do day-to-day activities. My friends impressions have been that there was an overwhelming number of bodies with little or no educational value.
In NYC, every body was accompanied by a panel of information regarding what was actually happening. Example: Here is a body in the middle of jumping. Notice how the tendons, muscles, and ligaments. More information on tendons, muscles, and ligaments were included. I didn't find the amount of bodies gratuitous in the sense that each one was showcasing a different aspect of the entire body.
What I came away with from the entire exhibit was a sense of fascination and wonder at the entire human body. I don't think it was strictly a matter of entertainment but it was comparable to going to a science museum.
In conclusion, I am not sure I understand the objection to the Bodies exhibit provided the bodies are used carefully and not strictly as sources of amusement and entertainment but of respectful education. Obviously, the use of human bodies as a source of entertainment is not an appropriate use. The use of of a persons body with out their permission is also morally unacceptable.
Many (maybe most?) exhibits crossed the line, but I don't think there should be a problem with the principle of donating your body for this purpose provided that the use is appropriately monitored. The respectful use could increase the number of people interested in science and increase an appreciation for the miracle of life.
Anyone care to weigh in? I am open to changing my mind.
Over at the Catholic Key, someone asked what is the difference between this and displaying a saint's body. I reply that both say something about who we are. What the saint on display says is true, what the body show says is false. A saint on display in a reverent fashion says we are made in the image of God, and the reverence we give to the body is in a way reverence we give to God' creation. The message of bodies chopped up and splayed out for morbid gawking is unmistakable: We are pieces of meat, nothing more. If this was for science, just about any of it could be achieved sythetically. But fewer would come, wouldn't they? The draw is the fact that it is real bodies. Throwing some scientific stuff on top no more changes the reality than affixing a label reading, "Sex-education video" to a DVD of hard-core pornography.
There are several of these "Bodies" exhibits moving around the country. The one here in beautiful Kansas City ("Bodies: Revealed" is the official title) displays only Chinese bodies. One of the biggest concerns is that these were not people who donated their bodies to science, but were executed political prisoners instead. How awful!
It is a Corporal Work of Mercy to bury the dead.
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