The IfP is a private research institute, located in Heidelberg,
which focuses on the development and progression of Plastination.
Plastination is the method of polymer impregnation, which preserves
anatomical specimens as permanent, life-like, and aesthetic materials
for instruction and scientific research. The specimens are dry,
odorless, retain their natural surface structure, and remain accessible
for virtually an unlimited amount of time. These characteristics lend to
the specimens inestimable value both for training doctors and medical
students as well as the general public about medicine and health. The
aim of the Institute for Plastination (IfP) is to produce human
specimens and make them available both for basic and continuing medical
training of doctors as well as for the general medical education of the
public. The specimens are prepared solely for this purpose and only
passed on directly to recognized educational and research establishments
and scientific museums, but not to private individuals or outside
suppliers. In addition, the IfP coordinates the traveling BODY
WORLDS exhibitions. Each BODY WORLDS exhibition displays approximately
200 authentic plastinated human specimens and 20 aesthetically posed
whole-body plastinates. The exhibition is structured in such a way that
visitors can experience it much as they would a three dimensional
textbook: visitors are able to see exactly how their own bodies are
constructed as they tour the exhibition. There are also specimens that
show the effects of disease such as a heart attack or cancer. The
anatomical specimens on display in the BODY WORLDS exhibition stem from
our body donors who declared that their bodies should be made available
after their deaths for the education of physicians and the instruction
of laypersons. BODY WORLDS has drawn nearly 30 million visitors in Asia,
Europe, and North America, which makes it the most successful traveling
exhibition of all time. The Institute was founded in 1993 by Dr. Gunther von Hagens,
physician, anatomist and inventor of Plastination. In 1997, his wife,
Dr. Angelina Whalley, began her role as managing director of the
Institute. Dr. von Hagens continues to serve as scientific director. As a
private institute, the IfP receives no state funding or research
grants; it is primarily financed through the revenue from the traveling
exhibitions. |
