BODIES OF PROTEST

08-01-2010

Stirrer blogger Dr David Nicholl (aka Doc Dave) is staging a protest outside the Custard Factory in Birmingham tomorrow outside the Bodies Revealed exhibition. Dr Nicholl, a human rights campaigner, isn’t satisfied by explanations about where the specimens come from.

He first raised concerns about the show on this website earlier this week following allegations that similar exhibitions have previously featured the bodies and organs of executed prisoners and victims of human rights abuses.

Doc Dave later called on the Human Tissue Authority to investigate.

Exhibition organisers Premier Exhibition point out that the HTA has licensed the events, and insist that: “All of the bodies and organ specimens in Bodies Revealed came from individuals who chose to donate their bodies to medical science for the purpose of study and education and are deceased from natural causes.”

They added, “In addition our full time anatomist and biological anthropologist have examined the specimens and have never found any evidence of associated with physical abuse. We are conscious of operating in a manner which does not perpetuate or support any untoward activities.”

That’s not enough to pacify Doc Dave who’ll be protesting outside the Custard Factory between noon and 1pm tomorrow (Saturday) – and wants others to join him.

He argues that neither local-based organisers Big Cat Promotions nor US company Premier Exhibitions has specifically refuted suugestions allegations that the bodies may be those of executed Chinese prisoners or victims of torture.

Writing on The Stirrer Forum, he said: “It is decision day for this exhibition, we will turn up as paying customers and ask a simple question.

‘Can you guarantee that the bodies are not those of people executed in China?’

“If the organizers are unable to answer this simple question, then we think the authorities should be looking to close this exhibition.

“We have already referred this exhibition to the Human Tissue Authority due to concerns regarding the lack of traceability and informed consent.

“ ‘Bodies Revealed’ sets itself up as an educational exhibition to promote our knowledge of anatomy, sadly the organizers have forgotten the fundamental principles of medical ethics, which were based on the horrors of the Holocaust.”