Corpse Meister Plans to Exhibit Own Body

Gunther von Hagens suffering from Parkinson's
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 4, 2011 2:23 AM CST
'Dr Death' Gunther von Hagens Plans to Exhibit Own Body
Gunther von Hagens talks about the plastination process and his creations during a news conference at the Museum of Science in Boston.   (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, file)

The German anatomist famous for his displays of preserved corpses is preparing to become part of one of his own exhibitions. Gunther von Hagens, who pioneered the "plastination" technique of preserving corpses by injecting them with plastics, is suffering from Parkinson's disease and says the symptoms are becoming impossible to control, Der Spiegel reports.

"I want to prepare myself for the plastination of my own body and determine the place where I want to be exhibited after my death," said the 65-year-old scientist. The anatomist's "Body Worlds" exhibitions, which display corpses in poses including running, playing musical instruments, and even having sex, have been viewed by tens of millions of people around the world.
(More Gunter von Hagens stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X