I entered Union Station with trepidation this morning. It's hard to blame me. Picture this: it is 4:30 a.m., the entire place is empty and dark, and there are plenty of rumors the Kansas City landmark is haunted. Oh, and one other thing: there are dozens of human cadavers in the basement.
As you probably guessed, I was at Union Station for its highly-anticipated and controversial exhibit, "Bodies Revealed." There's been an abundance of coverage leading up to opening day, so most of you know the exhibit features real human bodies on display.
The folks in charge of the exhibit tout its educational and health benefits. For instance, part of the tour shows a healthy lung sitting next to a smoker's lung. It's a vivid depiction. Next to the lung sits a plastic box where people can ditch their cigarrettes. I'm told by the end of the summer--the bin will be full of discarded Marlboros.
But there is plenty of backlash about the attraction. This week, metro Catholic leaders advised schools not to take field trips to the museum. There was also the ABC 20/20 report that questioned how the bodies are acquired and whether there is consent from the people prior to their deaths. The turmoil is creating quite a buzz on the blogosphere. Some community members are calling for boycotts. Union Station responds to the criticism on its web site.
I toured the exhibit this morning with interest and did not feel grossed out or disturbed. Instead, I found a lot of unique factoids and memorable visuals. It reminded me of an adolescent field trip to the Science Museum in St. Paul. However, I can certainly respect people who feel differently about the ethical nature of the display. In truth, the biggest source of frustration might be the price. At $24 for adults and $19 for kids, taking the family is no cheap outing.