News of Controversy Regarding 2007-2008 Exhibit
of Human Cadavers at The Carnegie Science Center:
"BODIES...The Exhibition"

Elaine Catz, an 11-year employee of the Education Division of The Carnegie Science Center, resigned on 2007 June 14, in protest of a traveling exhibit of Chinese human cadavers titled, "BODIES...The Exhibition," which was scheduled to be shown at The Carnegie Science Center for a seven-month run starting in 2007 October. Ms. Catz said, "We don't know how these people died or why they died, and I don't think Premier knows, either," she said, referring to the company, Premier Exhibitions of Atlanta, that is presenting the show. "Before we put our stamp of approval on it, there should be a high burden of proof on Premier.''

"Asking questions is the only way scientists learn anything, but you have to verify the sources," she said. "The science center is willing to accept the answer they want to hear, without verification, because they want this show to bring in the crowds. That, for me, is where they've strayed from their mission. I tried really hard to tell them that."

(Quoted statements as published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.)

Former Science Center employees have noted that a competing "Bodies," exhibition, called "Body Worlds" and produced by a non-profit firm in Europe, has also been very popular, with recent exhibitions in Cleveland (2005: Great Lakes Science Center) and Philadelphia (2006: Franklin Institute). In fact, due to the overwhelming popularity, "Body Worlds" is scheduled to return for a second run in Philadelphia in 2009. According to these former Science Center employees, German anatomist Gunther Van Hagen has good documentation on the bodies in this exhibition.

***

Had The Carnegie Science Center truly been interested in educating the public about the scientific wonders of the human body, the Science Center could have continued science exhibitry on the human body as was demonstrated at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science with the popular "Transpara the Talking Glass Lady" human anatomy exhibit/presentation, which was shown to the public in Buhl Planetarium's Little Science Theater from July of 1965 until the closing of Buhl Planetarium as a public museum on 1991 August 31.

***

Links

The Anti-BODIES Virtual Protest Site (Elaine Catz)

The Carnegie Science Center: Official Web Site *** Photo Album *** BODIES...The Exhibition

Premier Exhibitions of Atlanta *** BODIES...The Exhibition Official Web Site

Competing Traveling Exhibition -- Body Worlds: Web Site *** Wikipedia Entry

History of Original Buhl Planetarium *** Transpara The Talking Glass Lady Exhibit (1965 to 1991)

News From:

Newspapers and News Services

Felton, Julia. "Carnegie Science Center reopening, extending Mummies of the World exhibit."
TribLive.com: Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh 2020 June 25. First retrieved 2020 June 26.

Dayton, Rick. "Mummies Of The World Comes To Carnegie Science Center." Video Report.
KDKA-TV 2, Pittsburgh 2019 Oct. 2. 1st retrieved 2019 Oct. 3.

Mysliwczyk, Jake. "Mummies Of The World: The Exhibition Comes to the Carnegie Science Center." Blog
Pittsburgh Current 2019 Oct. 2. 1st retrieved 2019 Oct. 3.

Jones, Diana Nelson. "'My mummies are very heart touching. They have stories to tell us.'"
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2019 Oct. 1. 1st retrieved 2019 Oct 3.

Henry, Reg. "It's always the end of the world as we know it." Blog.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2011 Jan. 3.
Fifth paragraph of blog talks about Gunther von Hagens, the German anatomist famous for his 'Body Worlds' shows of preserved corpses, wishing to display his own corpse after his death.

Feran, Thomas. "'Bodies' exhibit opens today in downtown Cleveland."
The Plain Dealer, Cleveland 2010 June 5.
"Bodies . . . The Exhibition" runs 2010 June 5 through October 31 in former storefronts on Euclid Avenue at East Fourth Street in Downtown Cleveland's Entertainment District! The Great Lakes Science Center, located in the northern end of Downtown Cleveland on the shore of Lake Erie, presented a competing show, "Body Worlds 2," five years earlier.

* "Donors sign up to have bodies dissected, displayed."
CNN 2008 June 30.

* Kalson, Sally. "'Bodies' ends successful, controversial run."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 April 28.

* Walsh, Glenn A. Letter-to-the-Editor:
"Demanding transparency from local museum." (Second of two letters on web page)
Pittsburgh City Paper 2008 March 19.
Regarding current Carnegie Science Center "Bodies" exhibition,
and the sale, in the 1990s, of original Buhl Planetarium human-anatomy exhibit,
"Transpara," to the Cleveland Health Museum to be used as spare parts
for their transparent woman exhibit.

* Tinsley-Crabb, M. "First person: There's much more to us than just walking and talking."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 March 19.

* Jedrzejewski, Robert. Letter-to-the-Editor: "Merchandising death."(Fourth of eleven letters on web page)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 March 13.

* Rittmeyer, Brian C. "Sculpting a science lesson at Hampton schools."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 March 13.

* Mauriello, Tracie. "State lawmakers want to restrict use of cadavers."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 March 11.

* Dobrin, Peter. "At the Franklin, spectacle science."
Philadelphia Inquirer 2008 March 9.

* O'Driscoll, Bill. "Art: Panel gives Bodies a once over."
Pittsburgh City Paper 2008 March 6.

* Fine, M.D., Daniel. Letter-to-the-Editor: "A 'Bodies' proposal."(Fifth of six letters on web page)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 March 4.

* Cervone, Ellen. Letter-to-the-Editor: "'Bodies' exhibit is offensive."
The Valley Independent, Monessen PA 2008 March 4.

* Malcolm, Wade. "Panel debates ethics of 'Bodies' exhibit."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Feb. 29.

* Vellucci, Justin. "'Bodies' exhibit called 'unethical,' educational."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 Feb. 29.

* O'Driscoll, Bill. "Bodies of Evidence."
Pittsburgh City Paper 2008 Feb. 28.

* Kalson, Sally. "Lawmaker targets exhibits like 'Bodies',"
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Feb. 26.

* Rouvalis, Cristina. "Federal probe of 'Bodies' urged,"
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Feb. 22.

* Brown, David M. "'Bodies' still draws crowds to exhibition."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 Feb. 20.

* Bialecki, Diane. Letters-to-the-Editor: "Kill 'Bodies ...'."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 Feb. 19.

* Smydo, Joe. "Science Center defends bringing exhibit to city."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Feb. 17.

* Wills, Rick. "'Bodies' exhibit to stay open despite ABC News report."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 Feb. 17.

* "'Bodies' Exhibit Sparking National Controversy."
KDKA-TV 2 Pittsburgh 2008 Feb. 16.
Video clip

* Smydo, Joe. "Carnegie Science Center director defends "Bodies" exhibit."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2008 Feb. 16.

* Brown, David M. "Exhibit's 'Bodies' may be executed prisoners, ABC says."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 Feb. 16.

* Keefe, Brendan. "ABC News: Bodies Obtained By Questionable Means."
WCPO-TV 9 Cincinnati 2008 Feb. 16.

* Truong, Quan. "'20/20:' Who were 'Bodies?'."
Cincinnati Enquirer 2008 Feb. 16.

* "UPDATE: Premier: TV Broadcast 'Sensationalizes' Exhibit."
CNN/Dow Jones 2008 Feb. 16.

* "'Bodies' Exhibit Draws Controversy, People."
WTAE-TV 4 Pittsburgh 2008 Feb. 16.

* "Carnegie Science Center Director Defends "Bodies" Exhibit."
WPXI-TV 11 Pittsburgh 2008 Feb. 16.

* "More Controversy Surrounds Carnegie Science Center's 'Bodies' Exhibit."
WTAE-TV 4 Pittsburgh 2008 Feb. 15.

* "News Report Stirs Controversy For 'Bodies'."
KDKA-TV 2 Pittsburgh 2008 Feb. 15.
Video clip

* "Exhibit stops using bodies from China."
San Jose Mercury-News/AP 2008 Feb. 15.

* Truong, Quan. "'Bodies' report revives protest."
Cincinnati Enquirer 2008 Feb. 15.

* Knippenberg, Jim. "20/20 digs deep into 'Bodies'."
Cincinnati Enquirer 2008 Feb. 15.

* "Inventor of 'Body Worlds' exhibit says he's stopped using bodies from China."
The Sun, Baltimore/AP 2008 Feb. 15.

* Kalson,, Sally. "ABC report contradicts 'Bodies' exhibit claims."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Feb. 15.

* "Exhibit stops using bodies from China."
Sacramento Bee/AP 2008 Feb. 15.

* Ross, Brian, Rhonda Schwartz, and Anna Schecter. "Exclusive: Secret Trade in Chinese Bodies."
ABC Television News 2008 Feb. 14.

* Tinsley-Crabb, M. "First Person: Bodies seem to be so much more than mere flesh."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Feb. 13.

* Cuprisin, Tim. "'20/20' revisiting chronic questions about 'Body Worlds' exhibit."
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 2008 Feb. 13.

* Bronson, Peter. "Here are a few things you ought to know about those 'Bodies'."
Cincinnati Enquirer 2008 Feb. 10.

* "Anatomist Dr. Gunther Von Hagens Clarifies: Plastinates Not for Sale."
Web Site: Body Worlds 2008 Feb. 5.

* Boyes, Roger. "Dr Death's body art for the home — if you have the stomach for it."
The Times of London 2008 Feb. 5.

* "'Body Worlds' Entrepreneur to Sell Corpse Cross-Sections."
Der Spiegel Online International (English) 2008 Feb. 4.

* Orselli, Paul. "The End of Human Body Exhibitions?"
ExhibiTricks Weblog 2008 Jan. 26.

* Voigt, Emily. "Teenagers, Scalpels and Real Cadavers."
The New York Times 2008 Jan. 22.

* Noyes, Dan. "Lawmaker wants limits on body exhibits."
KGO-TV 7 San Francisco 2008 Jan. 16.

* Owen, Rob. "Tuned In Journal: WQED looks ahead Friday, Dec. 21, 2007."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2007 Dec. 21
A televised town hall meeting with the Carnegie Science Center on the Bodies exhibit, set for late February or early March.

* Ortiz, Edward. "Out of body experience, 'Bodies Revealed' makes its U.S. debut here."
Sacramento Bee 2007 Dec. 7.

* 2007 Nov. 15 - The Tartan:
Carnegie Mellon University student newspaper
BODIES...The Exhibition
Carnegie Science Center presents a life-like view of the human body’s insides
By J.W. Ramp, Samantha Conroy

* 2007 Nov. 15 - Pittsburgh City Paper:
Letter-to-the-Editor:
Letters to the Editor: Nov 14 - 21
Body of experience: John G. Picone, Bangor, Me. (The writer is a retired surgeon)

* 2007 Nov. 5 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Letter-to-the-Editor: HIRSH WACHS, M.D., Ph.D., Squirrel Hill
Invaluable exhibit
(Fifth of six letters on web page)

* 2007 Oct. 28 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Letter-to-the-Editor: CHARLES JAY MILLER, DDS
Assistant Professor
University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
Oakland
BODIES beautiful
(Third of six letters on web page)

* 2007 Oct. 24 - Pittsburgh City Paper:
Letters-to-the-Editor (First two letters of three)
Letters to the Editor: Oct 24 - 31
Dissecting "Bodies"
Letters from: Annette Dietz, Churchill; Elaine Catz, Greenfield
(Letters published in print-edition on Oct. 24, 68th anniversary of Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science)

* 2007 Oct. 21 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Letters-to-the-Editor (3):
Wellness dividend - KELIE CUMMINS, Friendship
'BODIES' sideshow - DENIS BEDEL, Ross
Unwillingly subjected - KATHY IREY, White Oak
(Fourth, fifth, and sixth of seven letters on web page)

* 2007 Oct. 17 - The Jewish Chronicle of Pittsburgh:
'Bodies' stirs consternation from area rabbis
By Susan Jacobs, Associate Editor

* 2007 Oct. 14 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Sunday Forum: Rabbi DANNY SCHIFF
Sunday Forum: BODIES - Don't go
The BODIES exhibit presents death preserved indefinitely,
stripped of all humanity, treated as spectacle. It is a
disturbing commentary on our society, says Rabbi DANNY SCHIFF

* 2007 Oct. 11 - Pittsburgh City Paper:
The Carnegie Science Center unveils Bodies ... The Exhibition
... but what are you seeing?
BY BILL O'DRISCOLL

* 2007 Oct. 10 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Column: Eric Heyl
Corpses undercut America's deceased

* 2007 Oct. 7 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Promoter concedes 'Bodies' exhibit not for everyone
By Sally Kalson

* 2007 Oct. 7 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
An inner body experience At once lauded and controversial, "Bodies ... The Exhibition"
offers a unique view of the human form
By Sally Kalson

* 2007 Oct. 5 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
'Bodies' exhibit to open Monday
By William Loeffler

* 2007 Oct. 3 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Column: Mike Seate
The anatomy of controversy and cold-hard cash
Includes reference to his childhood toy, Transparra, The Visible Woman, a 14-inch plastic model of the female body.

* 2007 Oct. 1 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Science center hopes word of mouth will lure many to Bodies
By Sally Kalson

* 2007 Sept. 28 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Wecht delights in out-of-body experience
By David M. Brown

* 2007 Sept. 15 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line:
Diocese OKs cadaver exhibit
Bodies from China draw controversy
By Ann Rodgers

* 2007 Sept. 15 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Cadavers exhibit gets diocese's approval
By Craig Smith

* 2007 Sept. 14, 3:25 p.m. - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line:
Catholic diocese OK's attendance at 'Bodies' exhibit
By Ann Rodgers

* 2007 Sept. 14 - Diocese of Pittsburgh:
STATEMENT FROM THE DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH ON
“Bodies…The Exhibition”

* 2007 Sept. 14 - Diocese of Pittsburgh:
News Release
STATEMENT FROM THE DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH ON "BODIES ... THE EXHIBITION"

* 2007 Sept. 14 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Letter to the Editor
Grief over 'Bodies' - David W. Snoke, Regent Square

* 2007 Sept. 13 - The Pitt News, University of Pittsburgh student newspaper:
Editorial
EDITORIAL - "Bodies" exhibit draws ethical uncertainties

* 2007 Sept. 9 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Op-Ed by David Hillenbrand, President and CEO of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
Sunday Forum: Stirring the pot
The Carnegie Museums feature controversial exhibits like 'BODIES' to ignite debate and challenge our assumptions, says the museum's president and CEO, DAVID HILLENBRAND

* 2007 Sept. 7 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Carnegie Science Center previews controversial 'Bodies' exhibit
By Monica Haynes

* 2007 Sept. 7 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Science Center's 'Bodies' exhibit controversial
By Mike Cronin

* 2007 July 31 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Science center seeks hand for bodies exhibit
By Allison M. Heinrichs

* 2007 July 3 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Letter-to-Editor: By CHARLES T. RUBIN, Forest Hills
Bodies on view
Seventh letter of ten letters on web page

* 2007 July 1 - Pittsburgh Catholic:
Upcoming exhibit of Bodies raises concerns
By Robert P. Lockwood

* 2007 June 27 - Diocese of Pittsburgh:
News Release
ANALYSIS: "BODIES ... THE EXHIBITION"
By Robert P. Lockwood, from The Pittsburgh Catholic, June 29, 2007

* 2007 June 25 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Column: Ruth Ann Daily
Enough evidence to keep 'Bodies' at bay

* 2007 June 24 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Sunday Forum: Exhibition of exploitation
ELAINE CATZ explains why she quit her job at the Carnegie Science Center after it decided to put human bodies on display

* 2007 June 21 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
China 'Bodies' exhibit raises hackles here
Science Center employee quits to protest display of corpses
By Sally Kalson
Reader Forum: What do you think about the 'Bodies' exhibit?

* 2007 June 21 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Religions differ on dead bodies
By Michael Birnbaum

* 2007 June 21 - Scripps News:
China 'Bodies' exhibit sparks employee resignation
By Sally Kalson

* 2007 June 21 - Associated Content:
Human Cadavers on Display at Carnegie Science Center
Exhibit of Bodies from China Provokes Controversy

* 2007 March 27 - News Release:
Science Center Misses Second Deadline to Reassemble Historic Zeiss Projector
Despite $1 Million Planetarium Rehab in 2006
“It is now quite clear that The Carnegie Science Center has no interest
in the historic Buhl Planetarium artifacts and has no intentions of
reassembling them; they do not see display of these artifacts as part
of their mission. All of their ‘delays’ are simply meant to drag-out
the process, hoping that people will forget these artifacts exist—the old adage:
‘out of sight, out of mind’ !” according to Friends of the Zeiss Project
Director Glenn A. Walsh.

* 2007 Feb. 4 - The Philadelphia Inquirer:
Tut is regal, not quite an Experience
By Peter Dobrin, INQUIRER CULTURE WRITER
Tut follows on the heels of a Titanic show and "Body Worlds," a graphic menagerie of specially preserved human cadavers and sliced-up body parts that brought in 600,000 visitors.

* 2007 January 24 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Science Center plans bold 'Bodies' exhibit Wednesday, January 24, 2007
By Adrian McCoy

* Doughton, Sandi. "All laid bare in "Bodies" exhibit."
The Seattle Times 2006 Aug. 20.

* Roach, John. "Cadaver Exhibition Draws Crowds, Controversy in Florida."
National Geographic Magazine News On-Line 2005 Aug. 29.

* Barnum, Alex. "Oozing corpses raising eyebrows."
San Francisco Chronicle 2005 May 27.

Electronic Media

* Malcolm, Wade. "Panel debates ethics of 'Bodies' exhibit."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Feb. 29.

* Vellucci, Justin. "'Bodies' exhibit called 'unethical,' educational."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 Feb. 29.

LIVE "TOWN HALL MEETING" ON CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER BODIES EXHIBIT
ON WQED-TV 13 PITTSBURGH - THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2008, 7:30 p.m. EST

Guests & Panelists Include:
Chief Maurita Bryant, Pittsburgh Police Homicide
Joanna E. Haas, Director, Carnegie Science Center
Dr. Alan Meisel, University of Pittsburgh Center for Bioethics and Health Law
Dr. Scott Miller, Medical Ethics, Allegheny Univ. of Health Sciences, AGH
Rabbi Dan Schiff, Agency for Jewish Learning
Father Chris Stubna, Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
Dr. Jim Weber, Professor of Business Ethics, Duquesne University
Dr. Karl Williams, Allegheny County Medical Examiner

* "'Bodies' Exhibit Sparking National Controversy."
KDKA-TV 2 Pittsburgh 2008 Feb. 16.
Video clip

* Keefe, Brendan. "ABC News: Bodies Obtained By Questionable Means."
WCPO-TV 9 Cincinnati 2008 Feb. 16.

* "'Bodies' Exhibit Draws Controversy, People."
WTAE-TV 4 Pittsburgh 2008 Feb. 16.

* "Carnegie Science Center Director Defends "Bodies" Exhibit."
WPXI-TV 11 Pittsburgh 2008 Feb. 16.

* "More Controversy Surrounds Carnegie Science Center's 'Bodies' Exhibit."
WTAE-TV 4 Pittsburgh 2008 Feb. 15.

* "News Report Stirs Controversy For 'Bodies'."
KDKA-TV 2 Pittsburgh 2008 Feb. 15.
Video clip

* Ross, Brian, Rhonda Schwartz, and Anna Schecter. "Exclusive: Secret Trade in Chinese Bodies."
ABC Television News 2008 Feb. 14.

* Owen, Rob. "Tuned In Journal: WQED looks ahead Friday, Dec. 21, 2007."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2007 Dec. 21
A televised town hall meeting with the Carnegie Science Center on the Bodies exhibit, set for late February or early March.

* 2007 Sept. 9 - KQV-AM NewsRadio Daily Phone Poll Question:
September 9, 2007
Do you support the decision of the Carnegie Science Center to publicly display the controversial “Bodies – The Exhibition”?
Internet Results
Yes:       91....35%
No:      167....65%
Total:   258...100%
Phone Results
Yes:       73....26%
No:      206....74%
Total:   279...100%

* 2007 June 21 - FOX NEWS/Associated Press:
Pittsburgh Museum Employee Quits in Protest in Bodies Exhibit

* 2007 June 21 - KDKA-TV 2, Pittsburgh (CBS Broadcasting Inc.):
Science Center Corpse Exhibit Stirs Controversy

* 2007 June 21 - WFMJ-TV 21, Youngstown/Associated Press:
Pittsburgh museum employee quits in protest of bodies exhibit

Internet Media

* 2007 June 23 - Blogger News Network (BNN):
Controversial Exhibition to Open at Carnegie Science Center
By Laura Smith

* 2007 June 21 - LISTSERVER: Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC):
Science Center employee quits over 'Bodies' exhibition

* 2007 June 21 - FORUM: Swedespeed Forums:
Cadavers as Art

* 2007 June 21 - BLOG: Dorothy Mantooth is a Saint:
We're Pretty Sure "Hellraiser 6" Started This Way

Documents Authored by Elaine Catz

* 2001 - Carnegie Science Center:
Educators' Manual For Carnegie Science Center's Exploration Station Junior
By Elaine Catz and Alena Rohe, Education Division
.pdf file *** .html file