Body World

The surprise S had for me - that I mentioned in a previous post - was to take me to see the Body Worlds show in London. For those who have not yet seen the website it is at http://www.bodyworlds.com/en/pages/home.asp

Opinion on the exhibition is split amongst the people I have spoken to on whether it is science or art. Personally I don't think it is either. I didn't come away from the exhibition having learnt anything about the human body I didn't already know, it does not not push the boundaries of knowledge. Neither is it art in the sense of a Da Vinci anatomical drawing. In addition I also felt there was something disrespectful in terms of how the bodies were treated.

However, my biggest concern with the entire Body Worlds programme is one of consent versus informed consent. At least when the show is in Europe the bodies shown are all from China where the Body Worlds lab is. At the start of the show Gunter Mad Professor states that all bodies were donated by the people for medical research and education. However, I would like to see the consent forms as I doubt they would hold up to the informed consent standard that is applied in the US or UK.

Rant aside, S didn't take me to change my mind but because she felt I would approach it with an open mind - which I did.