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A variety of frequently asked questions is listed below. Please feel free to contact us given you do not find an answer to your specific question.
What is BODY WORLDS?
The BODY WORLDS exhibitions are first-of-their-kind exhibitions
through which visitors learn about anatomy, physiology, and health by
viewing real human bodies, using an extraordinary process called
Plastination a groundbreaking method for specimen preservation invented
by Dr. von Hagens in 1977.
Each exhibition features more than 200 real human specimens, including
whole-body plastinates, individual organs, organ configurations and
transparent body slices. The specimens on display stem from the body donation program that Gunther von Hagens established in 1983.
The exhibitions also allow visitors to see and
better understand the long-term impact of diseases, the effects of
tobacco consumption and the mechanics of artificial supports such as
knees and hips.
To date, more than 25 million people around the world have viewed the BODY WORLDS exhibits. back
Who should see BODY WORLDS?
Anyone interested in learning what makes us human. Adults of all ages and children 8 and older will find the exhibits fascinating. Given the nature of the BODY WORLDS exhibits, it is up to the parents,
guardians or school staff to decide whether their children are age
appropriate to attend BODY WORLDS. back
What is the purpose of the exhibitions?
The BODY WORLDS exhibitions aim to educate the public about the inner
workings of the human body and show the effects of poor health, good
health and lifestyle choices. They are also meant to create interest in
and increase knowledge of anatomy and physiology among the public. back
Couldn’t I learn just as much from books or models of human anatomy?
Real human bodies show the details of disease and anatomy that cannot
be shown with models. They also allow us to understand how each body
has its own unique features, even on the inside. Visitors are drawn to
real specimens in a way that they are not to plastic models. One of the
special features of museums and science centres is that they offer
people a chance to see the real thing in a safe and informative
environment. back
What is Plastination?
Invented by scientist and anatomist Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977,
Plastination is the groundbreaking method of halting decomposition and
preserving anatomical specimens for scientific and medical education.
Plastination is the process of extracting all bodily fluids and soluble
fat from specimens, replacing them through vacuum forced impregnation
with reactive resins and elastomers, and then curing them with light,
heat, or certain gases, which give the specimens rigidity and
permanence.
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Where did the specimens on display come from? Will we know who the plastinates are or how they died?
The BODY WORLDS exhibitions rely on the generosity of body donors;
individuals who bequeathed that, upon their death, their bodies could
be used for educational purposes in the exhibitions. Currently, the Institute for Plastination has a donor roster of 8000 individuals, 490 are already deceased.
All of the
full-body plastinates and the majority of the specimens are from these
body donors; some specific specimens that show unusual conditions come
from old anatomical collections and morphological institutes. As agreed
upon by the body donors, their identities and causes of death are not
provided. The exhibitions focuse on the nature of our bodies, not on
providing personal information. back
Why are the plastinates posed the way they are?
The poses of the plastinates have been carefully thought out and serve
educational aims. Each plastinate is posed to illustrate different
anatomical features. For instance, the athletic poses illustrate the
use of muscle systems while playing sports. The poses allow the visitor
to relate the plastinate to his or her own body. back
What are the differences in the three BODY WORLDS exhibitions?
BODY WORLDS is the first anatomical exhibition by Dr. Gunther von
Hagens using his revolutionary invention of Plastination. Inspired by
the anatomists and anatomical drawings of the Renaissance, Dr. von
Hagens' debut exhibit features such plastinates as The Skin Man, its
precedent, a 16th century copper engraving of a figure in a similar
pose from Renaissance anatomist, Juan Valverde de Amusco’s volume on
anatomy. The engraver is believed to have been Gaspar Becerra, himself
an anatomist who assisted Michelangelo in painting the Sistine Chapel.
BODY WORLDS 1 stands at the intersection of science, medicine, and art as
a towering achievement in the field of anatomical science.
BODY
WORLDS 2 is more exhilirating and dynamic because it offers more
sportive poses that elucidate the body's capabilities while engaged in
familiar activities that resonate with people today, for example,
plastinates performing yoga, or rollerblading, or about to perform a
dive. It also features more female plastinates. It is the most
contemporary of Dr. von Hagens' exhibitions and shows many advances in
the science and techniques of Plastination.
BODY WORLDS 3 is a
return to the Renaissance, with plastinates such as The Emerging
Skeleton, The Wizard, and The Praying Skeleton all
referencing the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. BODY WORLDS 3 is
the culmination of Dr. Gunther von Hagens' 30-year career in anatomy
and captures the evolution and refinement of his invention to its
outer limits. back
Will I be able to touch any of the plastinates?
While you will be able to get very close to the plastinates, as a rule,
visitors are not allowed to touch them. At a certain area in the
exhibition, however, visitors have the option of touching a select
group of plastinated organs to better understand both the human anatomy
and the process of Plastination. back
Are these exhibitions appropriate for
children?
More than 25 million people, including young children, have
viewed the BODY WORLDS exhibitions around the world. It is important to
note that the exhibition includes full-body plastinates with exposed
genitals.
We recommend the BODY WORLDS exhibits for school groups in
Grades 5 and up.
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What educational materials is
BODY WORLDS providing? Teachers will wish to prepare both their students
and their adult supervisors carefully for their BODY WORLDS experience.
Therefore BODY WORLDS has created appropriate educational guides for different grades to the
exhibits. Moreover most museums do offer
preview opportunities so that teachers can see the exhibitions free of
charge before bringing their classes to it. back
Why is it important for the
public to see these exhibits?
We believe that when people understand
more about how the body works and how it can break down, they are more
likely to choose healthy and sustainable lifestyles. We also hope it
will inspire visitors to learn more about the life sciences. Knowledge
about what the human body looks like and how it functions is basic life
science information that should be available to everyone. back
Why are there not more women plastinates in the exhibits?
Sensitive to perceived community concerns, Dr. von Hagens did not want
to appear voyeuristic in revealing too many female bodies. Further, he
sees himself in the tradition of Renaissance anatomists, whose works
traditionally included far more masculine than feminine bodies, since
all but the reproductive systems are essentially the same. The
musculature of male bodies is generally more pronounced and illustrates
more aspects of the muscle system. The organs on display come primarily
from the female body donors. However, since opening the exhibits, Dr. von Hagens has received numerous requests from women visitors to see more examples of female anatomy. Based on this, Dr. von Hagens has already added and will add more female plastinates to future exhibits. back
Is there an audio tour?
Audio tours are offered for an additional fee. They are available in
English, Spanish and French on request and are available: an advanced
version with continuative information and a basic version for children and medical laypersons. There will not be personally guided tours
through the BODY WORLDS exhibits. back
How long can I stay inside the exhibits?
You can stay as long as you like. But we recommend allowing yourself
about one to two hours. The length of time will vary on how long each
visitor wishes to examine each specimen and read the information
provided. An audio tour will increase your time in the exhibits. back
Can I take photographs or film in the exhibitions?
Photography and filming, including pictures taken with cell phones, are
not allowed in the BODY WORLDS exhibitions, except by accredited
members of the media.
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Are food and drink permitted in BODY WORLDS?
Just as in the rest of the Science Museums hosting the BODY WORLDS
exhibits, food and drink are not permitted in the exhibit galleries.
The policy helps to protect the artifacts from the museums'
collections, as well as the BODY WORLDS plastinates. back
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