Perhaps one of the most controversial exhibits now touring internationally is known as Bodies the Exhibit. The exhibit features real human bodies and cadavers from China preserved in polymer for “educational display.”
The exhibit is organized and directed by Dr. Sui Hongjin, a professor at Dalian Medical University. Dr. Sui learned the technique to preserve bodies in polymer from Gunthor Von Hagen’s, the lead scientist who invented a technique called “plastination” used currently in his exhibits.
The process he created involves putting a body in formaldehyde solution, and then it is placed in a bath of acetone, then in another bath of liquid polymer, and finally must be cured, either with gas or heat in order for it to be hardened or “plastinated.”
Dr. Sui eventually went into business with Von Hagen’s while studying his technique and opened his own plastination laboratory in China. However, while Dr. Sui was working with Von Hagen’s, he was accused of using executed prisoners by the scientist and was fired.
“Dr. Von Hagen’s contends that while serving as his general manager, Dr. Sui secretly ran his own body operation in Dalian. Dr. Von Hagen’s then fired Dr. Sui.”
In fact, one of Dr. Sui’s employees came forth and reported that the doctor was infact using “fresh specimens” of executed prisoners and that she had examined two of these bodies. “Both of their abdominal walls had been crosswise slit open and most of their inner organs were missing. In addition there was “a bullet hole in the head,” remarked this employee.”2 As a result, Von Hagen’s was forced to return seven corpsesto China in 2004. Despite these reports, Von Hagen’s still continues to do business at Dalian Medical University.
“Dr. Von Hagen’s then came to China, where he said he found cheap labor, eager students, few government restrictions and easy access to Chinese bodies.” Premier has not yet responded to this fact and continues to claim that all of their bodies were obtained legally.
When I called the organizers myself in September of 2006, a manager of the exhibit stated, “They are unclaimed or unidentified prisoners from China that died of “natural causes.” However, one month later, their telephone respone changed and they stated that they do not use any prisoners at all and that their bodies were “donated” to Dalian Medical University for research who died of natural causs. Althoug their statements shifted, the organizers are still unable to provide sufficient proof that they do not use executed prisoners from China and there is very strong evidence suggesting the contrary. In addition, even medical professionals have commented that the bodies on display are way too healthy to have died of “natural causes.” As a result of these allegations and of new compelling evidence, an investigation was lead in the United States regarding the origin of the bodies used in this exhibit.
From - http://bodiestheexhibitionthetruth.webs.com/
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Sui Hongjin Dr. Prof.
Committeeman of Chinese Society for Anatomical Science
Vice Chairman of Science and Technology Consultative
Committee of Chinese Faultage Anatomical Association
Trustee of Liaoning Anatomical Association
Chief Director of Dalian Anatomic Association
Committeeman of the Dalian Political Consultative Conference
Director of Department of Anatomy of Dalian Medical University
Director of Department of Anatomy of Dalian Medical University
In 1994, assigned by the Dalian Medical University, Prof. Sui Hong-Jin studied abroad at the Heidelberg University as a visiting scholar. Prof. Sui specially learned the plastination technique. After homecoming, he devoted himself to the research and exploitation of this technique plastination. Furthermore, he has been to Austria, Australia and Spain for attending the international conference on plastination in which he discussed the plastination technique together with many famous experts. Through the effort, Prof. Sui has mastered and improved all kinds of techniques of plastination.
To promote the development of domestic plastination undertaking in China, Prof. Sui established the Dalian Hoffen Bio-Technique Co.,Ltd. in 2004. The specimens exploited and produced by it have gained extensive recognition and high comment from experts and scholars. He has published tens of papers and text books home and abroad. He was awarded successively first prize for scientific and technological progress by national ministry of education and prize for scientific and technological progress by Liaoning office of science and technology and office of education. Furthermore, he has cultivated nearly twenty graduates.
At the end of 2004, Prof. Sui were selected “The Most Bold Science Popularization Star” by the Science Times and the Science Nets，just because he overcame many difficulties and successfully held the “body worlds” exhibition in Beijing in April, 2004. This exhibition gave public a chance to observe and learn the structure of human body, sequentially more concern their health.
Welcome to Sui Hongjin ´s blog：http://blog.sina.com.cn/dlhfsw
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DISCLAIMER on the Bodies The Exhibition
This exhibit displays human remains of Chinese citizens or residents which were originally received by the Chinese Bureau of Police. The Chinese Bureau of Police may receive bodies from Chinese prisons. Premier cannot independently verify that the human remains you are viewing are not those of persons who were incarcerated in Chinese prisons.
This exhibit displays full body cadavers as well as human body parts, organs, fetuses and embryos that come from cadavers of Chinese citizens or residents. With respect to the human parts, organs, fetuses and embryos you are viewing, Premier relies solely on the representations of its Chinese partners and cannot independently verify that they do not belong to persons executed while incarcerated in Chinese prisons.
