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Bodies Return To MOSI For Anatomy Lessons

Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS, Institute for Plastination, Heidelberg, Germany, www.bodyworlds.com

An exhibit of real human bodies is coming to Tampa's Museum of Science & Industry.

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By KEITH MORELLI

kmorelli@tampatrib.com

Published: November 14, 2008

TAMPA - Bodies - real bodies, revealing all of their muscular and anatomical secrets under the sheen of plastic - will once again pose inside the Museum of Science & Industry starting Jan. 22.

The last time a similar exhibit was at the museum, record numbers of people went to see it. The event carried a bit of controversy, though, over whether the exhibitors had the right to display the bodies, which were homeless and destitute people from Asia.

Museum officials say they don't expect any objections this time.

MOSI spokeswoman Shani Jefferson said the presentation is from Gunther von Hagens, one of the world's foremost experts on anatomy and creator of the Plastination process, which encases and preserves human tissue.

"These are real, donor bodies, who have come into his institution" in Germany, she said. "He has 8,900 registered donors."

The exhibit, which features more than 200 specimens, including entire bodies, individual organs and transparent body slices, is educational and not sensational, she said.

The theme is the heart and "how this muscle sustains life," she said.

The exhibit has been seen by about 26 million people in 47 cities in Asia, Europe and North America. The MOSI engagement will be its debut in Florida, Jefferson said.

Keith West of South Carolina said he hopes to get to Tampa in the spring to see the exhibit. One day, he said, he will be among the bodies.

"I enrolled as a future body donor to the Institute for Plastination in 2002," he said Thursday.

The 53-year-old said his intention "is to inspire other people to donate their bodies to medical schools, transplantation centers, research labs as well as for Plastination, to benefit future generations."

WANT TO GO?

Advance tickets for the MOSI exhibit are on sale now and can be purchased at www.mosi.org. Tickets are $25.95 for adults and $19.95 for children 12 and younger. Adults older than 60 will be admitted for $22.95. Museum members are eligible for reduced ticket prices. The exhibit will open Jan. 22 and last until the end of June.

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