From the Graveyard to the Computer: Anatomy Classes Go Digital

The study of Human Anatomy has come a long way since the days when William Burke and William Hare dug up bodies from local graveyards for anatomy classes at the University of Edinburgh's Medical School.

Nowadays, anybody can donate their body to science provided they make it clear in their wills - and many do, as we can see below.

A fascinating new study of the human body called the Visible Human uses the corpse of a 39 year old executed criminal who donated his body to science. Sliced up into 1800 pieces, the body was then put back together again in digital form on the Internet. A 59 year old woman who donated her body to science is also part of the same project. She was not a criminal.

MMJ, October 1999

Links:

A Guided Tour of the Visible Human

Marching through the Visible Man

Marching through the Visible Woman

The Visible Human Project

Visible Slice of Life

MORE Articles about Graverobbers! on Gathering of the Clans:

Graverobbers! The Trial of Burke and Hare

Horror Films About The Graverobbers!

University of Edinburgh Medical School Museum