Biggles of 266
1st Level Red Feather
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2001
- Messages
- 1,126
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- 36
Only $33 to get into the body chop
By Peter Fray in London
November 21 2002
A former German pathologist, Gunther von Hagens, is to defy medical authorities and press ahead with Britain's first public post-mortem examination in more than 170 years.
Professor von Hagens, now an entrepreneur, said he would do it in front of a paying audience of 300, despite a warning from Her Majesty's Inspector of Anatomy, Dr Jeremy Metters, that it would be a criminal offence.
The examination was to be performed last night (about 7am today Sydney time), at a makeshift surgical theatre next door to Professor von Hagens's Body Worlds exhibition, and later televised by Britain's Channel4. Tickets, at £12 ($33), sold out days ago.
Body Worlds features preserved cadavers in various poses and has attracted more than 500,000 visitors in London over the past seven months. Critics have called it "ghoulish".
Professor von Hagens planned to perform the post mortem examination on a German woman who died in June and whose preserved body had been imported to Britain.
A German coroner ruled she died of natural causes during an epileptic fit, but her parents believed she committed suicide.
In a statement on Tuesday, Dr Metters, who regulates post mortem examinations in Britain, said neither Professor von Hagens nor his proposed venue was licensed under Britain's Anatomy Act.
The professor said the public had a right to see what a post mortem examination entailed, especially because one "can be ordered on them or their loved ones without their consent".
He hoped it would encourage organ donation and educate the public about the human body.
Public post mortem examinations were popular in Britain during the 19th century but were banned because authorities believed they spread disease and encouraged grave-robbing.
The British Association of Clinical Anatomists' secretary, Dr Roger Soames, said Professor von Hagens was simply "doing it to make money".
The professor has announced plans to perform up to eight post mortem examinations in Britain. He says he has huge public support.
By Peter Fray in London
November 21 2002
A former German pathologist, Gunther von Hagens, is to defy medical authorities and press ahead with Britain's first public post-mortem examination in more than 170 years.
Professor von Hagens, now an entrepreneur, said he would do it in front of a paying audience of 300, despite a warning from Her Majesty's Inspector of Anatomy, Dr Jeremy Metters, that it would be a criminal offence.
The examination was to be performed last night (about 7am today Sydney time), at a makeshift surgical theatre next door to Professor von Hagens's Body Worlds exhibition, and later televised by Britain's Channel4. Tickets, at £12 ($33), sold out days ago.
Body Worlds features preserved cadavers in various poses and has attracted more than 500,000 visitors in London over the past seven months. Critics have called it "ghoulish".
Professor von Hagens planned to perform the post mortem examination on a German woman who died in June and whose preserved body had been imported to Britain.
A German coroner ruled she died of natural causes during an epileptic fit, but her parents believed she committed suicide.
In a statement on Tuesday, Dr Metters, who regulates post mortem examinations in Britain, said neither Professor von Hagens nor his proposed venue was licensed under Britain's Anatomy Act.
The professor said the public had a right to see what a post mortem examination entailed, especially because one "can be ordered on them or their loved ones without their consent".
He hoped it would encourage organ donation and educate the public about the human body.
Public post mortem examinations were popular in Britain during the 19th century but were banned because authorities believed they spread disease and encouraged grave-robbing.
The British Association of Clinical Anatomists' secretary, Dr Roger Soames, said Professor von Hagens was simply "doing it to make money".
The professor has announced plans to perform up to eight post mortem examinations in Britain. He says he has huge public support.
