Love it or hate it – this is the mixed reaction after reading this book by Mary Roach. If you are just a little bit fascinated by what happens after death, but you want to find out the details wrapped into the scientific method, then this book will delight you.
Entertaining and thought-provoking, this non-fiction book takes you through a myriad of situations where human cadavers are actively used in research.
The most interesting aspect from this book were the last chapters, describing the “head transplant” movement and the heart-beating cadavers used in organ transplantation – both raising interesting questions on the limits between life and death.
People have always identified a certain organ for localizing the soul – culminating with the brain (especially the cortex) in this secular century. The description of head transplants on dogs and monkeys – although extremely cruel – shed some light on these matters. The simple observation of muscle twitchings some seconds after decapitation supports the same hypothesis that our personality and sense of self is located in the brain.
The research facility studying the decomposing stages is wonderfully described – together with the obnoxious smells all too familiar for those who studied forensics in medical school 🙂
Practicing plastic surgery (and other types of surgery) on decapitated heads is a sensitive thing to do for a surgeon in a century where anatomists don’t need to do grave robbing anymore in order to practice their art. Plastic models just aren’t the same in terms of color and texture.
Another controversial way of disposing human cadavers (ok, rather preservation of human cadavers) is the Plastination Institute in Germany – I am sure this would have been a great addition to this morbid and fascinating book – otherwise quite a different way of disposing a cadaver from the eco-friendly composting method described in this book.
Even if you are the squeamish or faint-hearted type, I still recommend this book – ignorance and fear of death are at the root of many atrocities in the current society. I would also recommend this book as a light introduction for medical students and future morticians before starting their forensics rotation.
The wealth of information that can be gained from studying human cadavers is astonishing – you never really know what a heart attack is until you see a necrotized heart in front of you; this area of medical research is so tangible that it can’t be compared to any other medical specialty.
If you are searching the book in a library nearby you, here is an useful link together with the author’s website.
Have fun reading!
