Schools may allow students to see preserved bodies

Grade 11 and 12 students study how the body systems work

By RAMON GONZALEZ
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

Three out of eight Edmonton Catholic high schools have expressed interest in sending students to an upcoming exhibit that features preserved human bodies.

But Edmonton Catholic Schools' spokesperson Lori Nagy says the schools will remain anonymous until they make a firm commitment.

So far the schools have expressed a general interest in the exhibit, saying they may send students in the fall, probably in September, Nagy said June 3.

The exhibit - Body Worlds: The Original Exhibition of Real Human Bodies - will be on display at the Telus World of Science from June 13 to mid-October.

Recently Edmonton's two Catholic bishops asked local Catholics to consider the faith implications of the exhibit, which was created by Gunther von Hagen, a German scientist who developed a process called plastination to permanently preserve bodily tissue.

Pastoral statement

Archbishop Richard Smith of the Edmonton Archdiocese and Bishop David Motiuk of the Edmonton Ukrainian Eparchy issued a joint pastoral statement in advance of the exhibit's June 13 opening.

The stated goal of the exhibit is to educate the public about health and anatomy.

But the bishops question whether the educational goals of the exhibit could not be met just as well using models rather than actual bodies.

"Not surprisingly, this exhibit generates much debate wherever it occurs, and so it should," the bishops said in their statement. "At issue here is human dignity."

Christians believe in the redemption of the human person, both body and soul, and so the human body retains its dignity even in death.

The Catholic Church does not object to the donation of the body for medical and scientific purposes, but it's with the understanding that such donation is for a limited time and that the body will eventually be given a reverent burial.

The bodies in the exhibit are displayed with the skin removed, which the bishops note obscures their God-given individuality.

"If any Catholics were to visit this exhibit, they should keep in mind that each body viewed is that of a unique individual loved by God and others. It would be appropriate to offer prayers for the repose of their souls."

The bishops counsel any Catholics who choose to view the exhibit to do so critically through the lens of faith.

They said it's up to Catholic parents to decide whether their children should see the exhibit. In consultation with area superintendents it was determined that any school visits will be restricted to high school students with specific conditions.

Nagy said Edmonton Catholic Schools "totally supports the bishops' views" and will use the exhibit to discuss the Church's views on the dignity of the human body.

She said any class that plans to attend Body Worlds would have access to a 50-minute video on the exhibit provided by Telus World of Science "just to prepare them" for what they will see.

The video will be followed by a discussion "just to see if there is any concerns students have and to kind of view the exhibit with a critical eye knowing, of course, what our views as Catholics are."

Carr supports exhibit

At a mid-May meeting with principals, superintendent "Joan Carr did discuss our views on the exhibit and we are encouraging high school students to go," Nagy said.

"Even though the exhibit is slated for Grades 5 and up, it's our view that it would be more appropriate for high school students.

"So we have made all principals aware of that so that they know how we feel and how we came to that conclusion."

One reason it may be appropriate for high school students to go "is because of how it matches the biology curriculum," Nagy said. Grade 11 and 12 biology students study in depth how the body works, including the circulatory system and the respiratory system.

"This could be a very good teaching tool as well if high school principals or teachers decide to take their class."

A special letter will be sent to parents of any students whose class plans to attend the exhibit, Nagy said, noting that the final decision as to whether a student attends rests with the parents.

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