Always late in things, I discovered that Dr. von Hagens, the gentleman that brought about Body Worlds, had performed in 2002 the first public autopsy in the UK in 170 years ([link]). Graduating as a biology major this coming August and having a vested interest in the autopsy process, I only wish to have seen this display. However, it seems that many people opposed this display. Whereas von Hagens explains it as educational, Her Majesty is obviously shocked and against this process because it goes against some ancient act that banned the public display of corpses. Well, lets look at the donor himself: a 72 year old gentleman who had apparently, through familial means or means of his own, donated his corpse to assist in this process. He clearly has no problem with displaying his wrinkled, naked, pasty body to the televised world.

What I'm trying to determine is why are people so up in arms about a public autopsy? Perhaps its the culture. The article states that only 3% of bodies in the UK are given a post-mortem inspection whereas in the US, we are saturated with television series about death (Dr. G, you're so hot in those blood soaked scrubs). Perhaps its just that the higher-ups in England are just granny-panty-wearing tightwads that have nothing better to do than concern themselves with a guy who loves science.