29 May 2008

Now You Too Can Profit From The Remains Of Individuals Who May Or May Not Have Been Tortured And Executed In China



We're all familiar with the controversial Bodies exhibit by now, yes?

BODIES... The Exhibition showcases dissected human bodies in cities across the globe. All the bodies in the exhibit were put through a process called 'plastination,' in which a cadaver is stripped of its skin, dissected to show a part of the internal anatomy and infused with plastic that is then hardened. Its sorta like a perverted form of embalming in a way but more like mummification... Regardless, that's not the controversial part...

There has always been mystery surrounding the origins of the cadavers used in the exhibit.

Some advocacy groups and media reports have alleged that some of the bodies on exhibit were Chinese prisoners who were executed. And although Premier (the developer of the “Bodies” exhibitions)previously maintained that the allegations were without basis, an investigation by your boy NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo showed that the company was unable to demonstrate the cause of death or the origin of the bodies.
The grim reality is that Premier Exhibitions has profited from displaying the remains of individuals who may have been tortured and executed in China,” said Attorney General Cuomo. “Despite repeated denials, we now know that Premier itself cannot demonstrate the circumstances that led to the death of the individuals. Nor is Premier able to establish that these people consented to their remains being used in this manner. Respect for the dead and respect for the public requires that Premier do more than simply assure us that there is no reason for concern. This settlement is a start.”
Leave it to NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to somehow get money out of this mess. Apparently now if you've gone to see the Bodies exhibit within the last 3 years, or however long its been at South Street Seaport, you're entitled to a refund. How you go about getting this refund or proving you went, I have no idea.

Furthermore the mystery and suspicions continue as the company behind Bodies, Premier Exhibitions, still cannot prove where the cadavers came from. They may be the remains of individuals who may have been tortured and executed in China and they may not.

In closing, the only thing has been proved is that Premier can't prove where the bodies came from. Why we should get our money back is beyond me. I saw the exhibit right? Why am I entitled to a refund? Becuase Cuomo said!?

More: Life is Fragile

Also: Controversial "Bodies" Exhibit Agrees to Offer Refunds {Gothamist}

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