Houston Museum of Science Exhibit....

[NME_locus]

Hello again,

I'm planning to go to this exhibit currently being displayed here. it is an often controversial exhibit because well preserved human bodies are on displayed, and I don't mean mummified. These were modern day people that donate their body to science.

What is disturbing is that these people have had their skin removed so the the human antomy could be visually seen.

Wouldn't this be or should be a haunted place? It should since it's the same as to applying the theory as to why haunted places are haunted. If graveyards are due to spirots being attached to their bodies, then wouldn't this place be? There are many bodies on display.

I myself was a former FMC (future medical career ) student in 1993, and it was also conducted at Baylor University in Texas.

Links on the exhibit:

http://www.bodyworldshop.com/

http://www.hmns.org/exhibits/special_exhibits/BodyWorlds.asp?

[novaceleste]

I will surely check it out. I think it sounds intresting.

[iamsquatty]

more than likely it wouldnt be haunted, because the people AGREED to lend thier bodies to science...its not like someone just took the body after they died and did what they did with it. so in my opinion the spirits of the dead people on display will be able to rest in peace because it was understood that thier bodies would undergo something other than burial.

[novaceleste]

Hey, that makes me wonder...Why aren't more hospitals haunted?? I've heard of some being haunted, but mostly ones that were mental hospitals or ones that treated people during times of TB epidemics and the like. Not to be morbid, but people die in hospitals everyday.

[distortedpandy]

I will admit to seeing some creepy stuff while working in the hospital, but being the skeptic that I am, chances are it was my mind messing with me after working double and sometimes triple shifts.

but back on topic - this exhibit sounds really really neat! Make sure to fill us in when you get back

[klamath]

My son and I saw a news report about this a couple of years ago and we want to see this exhibit very much. My son is only 7 but he LOVES the human body and is amazed as much as I am about it all.

Back when we saw the program the exhibit was on tour and visiting different states, although it never came through IA. I'm glad it now has a home now that we all can go visit. Maybe my son and I will have to make a special trip down that way.

As for your question, at first I thought, no because everyone wanted to donate their bodies. But the more I thought of it, it is possible. Because we don't know what was going on in their lives at the time of their deaths. Would be real nice if you could get a full body apparition, then you could actually compare it to the displays.

Have fun and please let us know how it turns out.

Edited April 3, 2006 by klamath

[NME_locus]

more than likely it wouldnt be haunted, because the people AGREED to lend thier bodies to science...its not like someone just took the body after they died and did what they did with it. so in my opinion the spirits of the dead people on display will be able to rest in peace because it was understood that thier bodies would undergo something other than burial.

I think you skipped a step.......... just because they donated their body to science, does not mean that they died peacefully. They could have been murdered or suicide.

Well, I know that it's not haunted, but asking if it should be. Honestly, I am quite a sksptic and believe most hauntings are in your head.

Also, the exhibit is still touring the states. You would have to see it in person to know how impresive it is.

Edited April 3, 2006 by NME_locus

[Dakotabre]

OH MY GOD

I am trying to think, wow this is great for people to see how the human body looks etc, but all I can think of is how horrible this is. Don't get me wrong, I love blood and gore etc.. but I wonder if the people who 'donated' their bodies to science, would have liked themselves being put on this much of a display- skinned and riding a horse, and playing basketball, striking poses etc.

It's even sick that these people are selling key rings and other nik nak body junk to make money off these. I wonder if any of that money goes to these peoples families.

Oh, I know I'm being a stick in the mud, but this is just so disrespectful and degrading to these people, whether they chose to give their bodies to 'science' or not. I don't think this is what they thought would have happened to them.

I understand that bodies need to be examined, cut up etc for 'real' science and medicine, but not to be put on display for people to have to pay to see.

So much for respecting the dead

[earthchick]

I personally do not think that graveyards are hotbeds of spirit activity. After all, it is only the shell of the deceased person that is buried in a graveyard. There is no emotional attachment for the deceased to the graveyard, nor did they die there. I believe it is more likely that a person's spirit would linger either where the death took place or in a place of significance to him/her in life. For these same reasons I'd very much doubt that this science museum would be haunted by the spirits of those who donated their bodies to science.

I have say though, that it must likely be people in some medical or scientific field that would want to go see that!! I sure wouldn't!!!