Has anyone seen the "Bodies" exhibit in Atlanta?

Question

Just curious what people think of this exhibit. I just saw it over the weekend. Interesting but a little unsettling. And, where did this guy get the bodies? I heard later they were executed prisoners from China. Any truth to this?

Answer 1

Hey Becca-

Yes, I saw the BODIES exhibit here in Atlanta. I saw it back in May of this year. It was very unique and fascinating, as well as educational. But I did experience something strange- well, a couple of things. First of all, I did not expect to, but I did get sick during the tour of the bodies. I don't consider myself abnormally squeamish...but I did get sick to my stomach when seeing all those bodies without the outer layers of skin. After all, these were not movie props- they were what used to be real, living people. As for the rumor you heard about them being executed prisoners from China...maybe a couple of them had been, in fact. Not to sound racist or anything, but a few of the cadavers looked Asian, to me. But they say that the bodies were voluntarily given by the donors. Apparently, the individuals signed a contract that they would donate their bodies to science after they died.

I loved all the interesting facts about the human body that were revealed. For example, how a newborn baby has 300 bones, and an adult human has 206. And, how were are born with certain predilections for sweet or salty tasting foods.

It was kind of bizarre, though. On at least one occasion, I was looking into one of the dead men's eyes, and I thought he was looking back at me. That was weird.

This day and age is different. I think that only a few years ago, moral implications would have come with such an exhibit. It's almost like looking into an unknown universe- seeing a person's remains opened up in such a fashion, as to give an ordinary observer a strange and somewhat revolting vantage point.

It's not for everyone, but I would encourage people to go see the exhibit if they thirst for knowledge, or if their career choice happens to be in the medical profession. I am a paralegal student, but all but one of the other students with whom I went were medical assistants, surgical techs, or massage therapy majors. I went with my schoolmates on a field trip to see the exhibit, you see.

I have mixed feelings about it. I loved learning new things, but it was kind of disturbing at the same time. Apparently, the people running the exhibit are treating the remains with all due respect and care- which is certainly a good thing.

Answer 2

I saw it in NY, and yes, they say the bodies were taken from prisoners in China, and they said the prisoners gave consent, but knowing how the Chinese government works, I'd take that claim with a grain of salt.

I found it to be a fascinating exhibit, and think that everyone should try to see it, because it may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to peer into the bodies of so many individuals. Everyone's anatomy is slightly different, and so it's really amazing to see such a variety of bodies and bodies suffering from various diseases and conditions.

I suppose it is unsettling that they are human bodies, but ultimately I'm one who believes that once you die you have no need for your body, and so why not put it to good use and help further education or some noble cause. So, I'd choose to donate my body to something like that, but I do think it is wrong if those people did not choose to have their bodies used for that purpose.

Answer 3

If you actually opened your eyes during the exhibit, you would know that every body there was donated to the foundation by its owner before death. Most were from Europe if I remember correctly.

I got a little sick as I first walked through it (might have been the huge crowds of people + heat + enclosed space). But after that it was amazing. I enjoyed the bodies that had certain areas exposed so you could see how everything (organs, muscles, nerves) is connected inside of you.