The Artificial World of Plastination: A Challenge to Religious Perspectives on the Dead Human Body

Abstract

The public exhibitions of plastinated (preserved) and dissected human cadavers have proved exceedingly popular and also very contentious. However, there has been little in the way of sustained analysis of these exhibitions from a Christian angle. The technique of plastination enables whole bodies to be displayed as though standing and playing a variety of sports, and with ‘life-like’ facial expressions. In analyzing this phenomenon, the plastination procedure is outlined, and the degree of naturalness of the whole body plastinates assessed. In searching for theological directives the debate over burial and cremation is used as a means of exploring the respect we give the dead body, and the significance of the resurrection of the body for our views of the dead body. In particular, attention is paid to devaluation of the dead body in situations ranging from dissection of the body through to commercial public exhibitions. The centrality of notions of altruism and ‘gift’ is discussed. It is concluded that there are many disquieting features to these exhibitions, necessitating caution in approaching them. Nevertheless, in reminding visitors of their mortality and the wonders of the human body, they are not to be dismissed entirely.

Keywords:

• the dead human body
• plastination
• body worlds
• public displays
• cremation
• resurrection of the body

Disclosure statement

No conflict of interest and no financial disclosures to report.

Notes on contributor

Gareth Jones is Emeritus Professor of Anatomy at the University of Otago. He has served as Head of the Department of Anatomy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), and Director of the Bioethics Centre. He has written extensively on the plastination of human bodies and on the ethical and cultural issues raised by public displays of dissected and plastinated bodies. He has also written on ethical issues associated with the donation of cadavers for dissection in anatomy departments. His writings include two volumes edited with John Elford on the relationship between medicine and theology.