Scientist defends corpse exhibition

Gunther von Hagens, whose Body Worlds And The Mirror Of Time exhibition opens to the public at the O2 Arena in London on Friday, said he was presenting a "health message."

A total of 200 cadavers from babies to the elderly have been arranged in lifelike poses, as part of the scientist's latest Body Worlds exhibition.

They have all been preserved using Dr von Hagens' controversial "plastination" technique. This involves peeling the skin back to reveal the inner organs, arteries and muscles and encasing it all in plastic.

"This exhibition is all about the cycle of life, from the spark of conception, to the development of a mature body, and it goes through to elderly people," he said.

"It shows the whole spectrum of life. It shows how we develop and we age. We realise how our lifestyle entrances our organs, our body, and in this way, our capability in life, our length of life and how we feel.

"People will learn about the importance of their bodies. They will learn how fragile and how strong the body is. They will learn that they have to take care of their bodies, and eat less excessive food and smoke less, and refrain from drugs.

"It gives a strong message, it is a life-changing experience, only the real is able to change our habits," the scientist explained.

Mirror Of Time is Dr von Hagens' first London exhibition since 2003. His previous Body Worlds shows have been dubbed "the goriest on earth" for their no-holds barred look at human anatomy.

But he rubbished claims that his work was frightening, saying it helped visitors to "understand death".