When I was in HS, back in the early 90s, our biology class took a field trip to the college our teacher had attended. The purpose of our trip was to look at a human cadaver. The instructor showed us the body of a deceased older man, showed us how the muscles were atrophied from age, and joked that he wished they'd send him a cadaver from…
When I was in HS, back in the early 90s, our biology class took a field trip to the college our teacher had attended. The purpose of our trip was to look at a human cadaver. The instructor showed us the body of a deceased older man, showed us how the muscles were atrophied from age, and joked that he wished they'd send him a cadaver from a 16-yo cheerleader. Then he pulled out jars from his collection-- organs that had some interest to him. The smallest heart (from a 90-lb Asian woman), the largest heart (from an obese smoker), etc. He told us he was required to send every part back (to whom?) but hinted that he had ways around it. I was thoroughly disgusted, but I assumed that people who work around this all the time must get sort of callous about it. That's no excuse, but this type of thing may be more common than we think.
During my nurses training we were required to observe several autopsies to better understand pathology as well as the process of and reasons for performing an autopsy including organ harvesting. Of all the things I saw in my 4 years of training this was the worst. The atmosphere was light-hearted and seemed disrespectful in regards to the fact that this was a human being they were working on. From that day forward I vowed I’d never subject myself or any of my family to that procedure. It seemed to me that the fact that God created every human being in His own image was completely disregarded. Disclaimer: I only witnessed a handful of autopsies.
I wonder if some use humor to try to lessen the tension? If so, I think that's a bad tactic. The instructors of these classes set the tone, and it should be one of respect. I know some people will say, it's just a body; the person is no longer here. Still, that body housed a human for many years and deserves respect on that basis alone.
I attended a Catholic medical school where the head of the anatomy department was a priest. The importance of our cadaver's contribution to our medical education was always stressed. At the end of our first year we had a ceremony of gratitude with the family members in attendance. It was very moving.
When our daughter was a first year medical student they went into the lab to learn anatomy, with the use of human cadavers. The one she was to "cut apart" on her first day, was the body of a surgeon/"very beloved" artist. When she returned to class she reflected on what struck her the most. When the class broke for lunch she left her work uncovered, on her desk. When they returned from lunch the professor asked who the "artist" was and held up her work, "the perfect anatomy of the human hand." She said it felt terribly humbling and uncomfortable to be called out.... "how did you draw this so intricately from memory?" She replied, "his hands were beautiful despite his old age, his hands appeared to have barely aged... he was 90 years old, that visual stuck in my mind, I had to draw it."
"You need to drop out of medical school and do what you were incredibly gifted to become..." To hear it told by the professor was indeed humbling. The cadaver experience had enriched her. To many others, it is an uncomfortable time...and they usually joke around about their confrontation with a dead human.
I had a different experience in college in the early 90’s, St. Louis wash U. They were so respectful and really imprinted on us the dignity of the deceased who gave their bodies for science. It was so fascinating. It was very solemn, no shenanigans.
One of my favorite memories. Such an amazing miracle, the human body.
I suspect most are very respectful and take their responsibilities seriously. But every once in a while a story like this one comes out... The thing is, these evil deeds can go unnoticed for a long time.
I can top your story. I went to private primary schools. About age 8 I guess, our class went on a field trip to the local hospital. They showed us the specimen room. Creepy!
Allow me to be the Devil's advocate, as well as his doorknob for a moment. I do find it distasteful that anyone would traffic in human remains for any reason. That's why there are usually laws against it. I caution, however, against whipping onself into a frenzy worrying that it's all about Satanism or the Occult. Now, from my handle you might suspect that I'm "secular" and you'd be correct. That said, I do not deny that, out of millions of people, there will be some that hold very odd beliefs and that might include that certain body parts hold magical powers. Before you demonize these folks though they maybe really worship demons, consider that organ collecting is not peculariar to the occult-obsessed. It wasn't that many centuries ago, in the early days of the Church, where relics were held in high regard. Having a (claimed) piece of the True Cross gave a local parish big-time bragging rights. Attracting the faithful when they went on a pilgrimage was an important business and source of revenue to local churches. When piece of wood wouldn't do, how about a relic that belonged to a Saint? And guess what happened to the body of many a famous Saint as soon as he reached room temperature? Yep.
Finally, there are arguably legitimate reasons for collecting certain body parts. The most obvious would seem for medical purposes such as education. What about historical? Perhaps the private collector having a lampshade made from human skin is out of bounds, but perhaps that does belong in a museum recounting the horrors of WW II?
The human skin lampshade story was admitted to be a hoax. Just like the human soap, the fatal masturbation machines, and many other lies. Keeping all those shoes was brilliant, though. Especially because ground-penetrating radar cannot find any evidence of mass graves or even crematory ash. Remember, history is always written by the victors. By the way, if you can find any (edit *official*) documentation referring to a 'final solution,' please share it. You'd be the first person to ever find it. Weird, huh?
When I was in HS, back in the early 90s, our biology class took a field trip to the college our teacher had attended. The purpose of our trip was to look at a human cadaver. The instructor showed us the body of a deceased older man, showed us how the muscles were atrophied from age, and joked that he wished they'd send him a cadaver from a 16-yo cheerleader. Then he pulled out jars from his collection-- organs that had some interest to him. The smallest heart (from a 90-lb Asian woman), the largest heart (from an obese smoker), etc. He told us he was required to send every part back (to whom?) but hinted that he had ways around it. I was thoroughly disgusted, but I assumed that people who work around this all the time must get sort of callous about it. That's no excuse, but this type of thing may be more common than we think.
During my nurses training we were required to observe several autopsies to better understand pathology as well as the process of and reasons for performing an autopsy including organ harvesting. Of all the things I saw in my 4 years of training this was the worst. The atmosphere was light-hearted and seemed disrespectful in regards to the fact that this was a human being they were working on. From that day forward I vowed I’d never subject myself or any of my family to that procedure. It seemed to me that the fact that God created every human being in His own image was completely disregarded. Disclaimer: I only witnessed a handful of autopsies.
I wonder if some use humor to try to lessen the tension? If so, I think that's a bad tactic. The instructors of these classes set the tone, and it should be one of respect. I know some people will say, it's just a body; the person is no longer here. Still, that body housed a human for many years and deserves respect on that basis alone.
I attended a Catholic medical school where the head of the anatomy department was a priest. The importance of our cadaver's contribution to our medical education was always stressed. At the end of our first year we had a ceremony of gratitude with the family members in attendance. It was very moving.
When our daughter was a first year medical student they went into the lab to learn anatomy, with the use of human cadavers. The one she was to "cut apart" on her first day, was the body of a surgeon/"very beloved" artist. When she returned to class she reflected on what struck her the most. When the class broke for lunch she left her work uncovered, on her desk. When they returned from lunch the professor asked who the "artist" was and held up her work, "the perfect anatomy of the human hand." She said it felt terribly humbling and uncomfortable to be called out.... "how did you draw this so intricately from memory?" She replied, "his hands were beautiful despite his old age, his hands appeared to have barely aged... he was 90 years old, that visual stuck in my mind, I had to draw it."
"You need to drop out of medical school and do what you were incredibly gifted to become..." To hear it told by the professor was indeed humbling. The cadaver experience had enriched her. To many others, it is an uncomfortable time...and they usually joke around about their confrontation with a dead human.
I had a different experience in college in the early 90’s, St. Louis wash U. They were so respectful and really imprinted on us the dignity of the deceased who gave their bodies for science. It was so fascinating. It was very solemn, no shenanigans.
One of my favorite memories. Such an amazing miracle, the human body.
Sounds like a much better experience! I was totally turned off to any career in medicine from my experience.
My mind immediately goes to funeral homes...what goes on in there?
I suspect most are very respectful and take their responsibilities seriously. But every once in a while a story like this one comes out... The thing is, these evil deeds can go unnoticed for a long time.
I can top your story. I went to private primary schools. About age 8 I guess, our class went on a field trip to the local hospital. They showed us the specimen room. Creepy!
Allow me to be the Devil's advocate, as well as his doorknob for a moment. I do find it distasteful that anyone would traffic in human remains for any reason. That's why there are usually laws against it. I caution, however, against whipping onself into a frenzy worrying that it's all about Satanism or the Occult. Now, from my handle you might suspect that I'm "secular" and you'd be correct. That said, I do not deny that, out of millions of people, there will be some that hold very odd beliefs and that might include that certain body parts hold magical powers. Before you demonize these folks though they maybe really worship demons, consider that organ collecting is not peculariar to the occult-obsessed. It wasn't that many centuries ago, in the early days of the Church, where relics were held in high regard. Having a (claimed) piece of the True Cross gave a local parish big-time bragging rights. Attracting the faithful when they went on a pilgrimage was an important business and source of revenue to local churches. When piece of wood wouldn't do, how about a relic that belonged to a Saint? And guess what happened to the body of many a famous Saint as soon as he reached room temperature? Yep.
Finally, there are arguably legitimate reasons for collecting certain body parts. The most obvious would seem for medical purposes such as education. What about historical? Perhaps the private collector having a lampshade made from human skin is out of bounds, but perhaps that does belong in a museum recounting the horrors of WW II?
You make a fair point about relics. No doubt part of why my family went protestant 4 centuries ago.
The human skin lampshade story was admitted to be a hoax. Just like the human soap, the fatal masturbation machines, and many other lies. Keeping all those shoes was brilliant, though. Especially because ground-penetrating radar cannot find any evidence of mass graves or even crematory ash. Remember, history is always written by the victors. By the way, if you can find any (edit *official*) documentation referring to a 'final solution,' please share it. You'd be the first person to ever find it. Weird, huh?
Reminds me of this:
https://youtu.be/45gbgBhVPEM