First UK University to acquire Von Hagens Plastinations for anatomy teaching
His work is discussed controversially across the world: his supporters call it art, his opponents call it illegal an immoral. Nevertheless, Gunter von Hagens' plastinations fascinated an audience of millions and now the University of Warwick, UK, ordered 200 plastinations for anatomy teaching.
Warwick Medical School has spent around £400,000 on the educational specimens, which travelled to the UK this month with other specimens for von Hagens’ Body Worlds exhibition in London's O2 arena, which opened on 24 October.
Funding was provided by the Strategic Health Authority as part of a £1.1 million grant for the School to create a centre for excellence in anatomy and surgical skills.
Dr von Hagens’ plastination technique involves removing body fat and water and injecting a polymer to preserve the body or body part. The resulting objects are of the highest quality and ideally suited for medical, educational and instructional purposes. The specimens originate from body donors to von Hagens’ Institute for Plastination in Guben, Germany.
Warwick Medical School's Chair of Clinical Anatomy Professor Peter Abrahams said the specimens were essential for anatomy teaching: "Gunther von Hagens’ plastination technique is the most effective and his specimens are of the highest quality. Our students can use these specimens again and again to understand how the body works. They will be a unique and invaluable tool for the training of doctors."
Source:
Peter Dunn
University of Warwick
28.10.2008
