May 29, 2008

'Bodies' ordered to refund all NYC visitors since 2005; Must now prove causes of death, origins of its cadavers

Full refunds have been ordered for everyone who paid to see the creepy "Bodies" exhibition since it opened at the South Street Seaport Exhibition Centre in November 2005.

That's the word from New York state Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, who said he's reached a settlement with "Bodies" developer Premier Exhibitions, which "must now obtain documentation demonstrating the cause of death and origins of the cadavers and body parts it displays as well as proof that the decedent consented to the use of his or her remains in such a manner."

Critics have long argued the bodies were likely those of executed Chinese prisoners who never would have consented to such a use of their remains.

“The grim reality is that Premier Exhibitions has profited from displaying the remains of individuals who may have been tortured and executed in China,� Cuomo said in a statement announcing the settlement. “Despite repeated denials, we now know that Premier itself cannot demonstrate the circumstances that led to the death of the individuals. Nor is Premier able to establish that these people consented to their remains being used in this manner. Respect for the dead and respect for the public requires that Premier do more than simply assure us that there is no reason for concern. This settlement is a start.�

The NYC "Bodies" exhibition is made up of 20 full body cadavers and more than 200 human parts, organs, fetuses, and embryos in various stages of development. They've all gone through a “plastination� process that preserves the body, sans skin, as it looked at death.

Tickets are currently $26.50 for adults ($27.50 on weekends and holidays.) They also sell a VIP package for $79 that gets you a guided tour and "exclusive gift."

Under the agreement, "Premier will provide full ticket refunds to all customers who can establish that they attended the New York exhibition and who represent that they would not have done so if they had known of the questionable origins of the bodies and parts on display," according to Cuomo's office.

Additionally, "In the event that Premier continues to display human remains in New York that were obtained before the Attorney General’s settlement, Premier will clearly disclose on its website, in the entrances of any New York exhibitions, and in its advertising that it is not able to confirm that the bodies and parts being displayed were not, or did not belong to, Chinese prisoners who may have been victims of torture and execution."

Currently, the "Bodies" in NYC website makes no mention of the bodies' origins.

Reuters quoted Premier's chief legal counsel, Brian Wainger, as saying: "We are pleased with the outcome of the inquiry." Premier, an Atlanta-based public company with shares on Nasdaq, currently operates "Bodies" exhibitions in a dozen cities worldwide, according to its quarterly report issued earlier this month.

Image source: Thinker keychain from the "Bodies" online shop.

Earlier: 'Bodies' permanently extended at South Street Seaport
'Bodies' exhibit promoters sued over cadaver use
'Bodies' exhibit opening at South Street Seaport

May 29, 2008 11:09 AM in Downtown, Sightsology

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