"Body Worlds" and "Bodies the Exhibition" Shows: Can China Accuse America of Human Rights Abuse?

These American Touring Exhibitions Displaying Unknown Cadavers from China Are Said to Be Tortured Prisoners that Could Spin the Argument of China Abusing Tibetans

One of the most bizarre and haunting touring exhibitions in America is both the "Bodies World" and "Bodies...the Exhibition" shows displaying cadavers of unknown identity but said to come from China. The controversy is that there's emerging evidence these people (now having their stripped-down corpses in demonstrative poses they may not have ever done in life) could have been unknown prisoners in China who were tortured. Having the cadavers as completely unknown entities might make the exhibition more tolerable for some who may not want to put a name--or even familiarity--to a cadaver, especially if you know what that person did in their life. For others, it's the prospect of not knowing where these cadavers came from that's disturbing and forcing the imagination to work overtime if not giving the exhibit an aura of a macabre mystery in the minds of a few.

The corporations who put this show on may have to worry a little now when the "Bodies...the Exhibition" show admitted recently that they didn't really know for sure if these cadavers were tortured prisoners from China. Now that these shows have profited exponentially in the last few years, it has to make you wonder why they're just now revealing this. Despite the unsure statement from its producer, Premier Exhibitions, people who are offended by the new prospects will be able to get refunds if they so choose. Of course, there will be counterchallenges to that statement, probably from the man who came up with the idea for the show and preserved the bodies through his own innovative plastination process: Dr. Gunther von Hagens.

Beyond that, though, we may start hearing from China, particularly during the Beijing Olympics, who may use this exhibit as a counterargument against America who's accusing them of human rights abuse against Tibetans. That may end up being a given, especially when the "Bodies" exhibits will now be forced to put a disclaimer on their shows that they aren't sure whether the bodies you'll see were tortured in Chinese prisons. The shows say that they check for any signs of torture on the bodies, but usually can't find the evidence that there was any.