Workshop on the Debate Surrounding “Human Remains”
A recent workshop held at Goethe University’s Faculty of Medicine tackled a complex and sensitive topic. Under the title “Dealing with Human Remains”, researchers from diverse disciplines such as psychiatry, anatomy, dermatology, ethnology, and history came together to discuss the many implications of human-derived specimens in collections. The goal of the workshop was to initiate a discussion on possible guidelines, which may eventually be compiled into a practical guide for addressing such issues – also since human tissue specimens exist in many medical collections. While today the respectful treatment of “body donations” is clearly regulated, for historical objects it is often unknown whether the individuals from whom they were taken previously gave their consent.
Interdisciplinary Discussion
But is it even appropriate to speak of “objects” when dealing with human remains? Opinions diverge as far as terminology goes: Is “human remains” the correct term? Or should we instead refer to “human tissue” or “specimens”, as preferred by medical professionals? Unsurprisingly, the perspectives of the humanities and medicine differ: whereas the former focuses on the cultural significance of the specimens, the latter is concerned with medical education and disease research. This divergence made the discussions all the more stimulating for everyone involved. A central insight emerged: the topic is too important to be addressed within a single discipline. Careful, transparent communication – devoid of accusations – offers the best path forward. And while each case is different, much can be learned from specific examples.
The event primarily addressed members of Goethe University and Frankfurt University Hospital, where collections of human specimens also exist. Representatives from Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Anatomy, the departments of psychiatry, dermatology, paleoanatomy, the university archives, medical history, cultural anthropology, and the newly appointed coordinator for university history at the History Department attended. The workshop also attracted other universities and institutions: anatomists from the universities of Mainz and Heidelberg took part, along with collection coordinators and museum curators. The event was organized by Dr. Moritz Verdenhalven (who leads a provenance research project on human remains at the Department of Psychiatry), Goethe University’s collection coordinator Dr. Judith Blume, and the university’s interdisciplinary Clinical Ethics Committee.
“Dealing with Human Remains at the Tübingen Institute of Anatomy – A Long Road to Historical Reflection” – this was the title of the lecture given by historian Prof. Benigna Schönhagen, who reported on her experience curating a 2022 exhibition on the history of anatomy in Tübingen. The exhibition raised controversy about a specific burial site used by the university’s anatomy department since 1849. How should we remember the many individuals whose bodies were used for anatomical research without their consent – many of whom were victims of the Nazi regime? While the burial site has been designated a memorial since 1950, the path to dignified remembrance that names every victim remains long. Over 1,000 individuals are buried there, only slightly more than half of whom have been identified by name. This reflects a broader historical pattern in dealing with the Nazi past. Even at University Hospital Frankfurt, human remains were still being interred in mass graves as recently as the early 1990s – without any attempt at identification.
Replicas Instead of Real Bodies?
What should be displayed? Why are specimens still needed? And who were the people from whom the tissue came? These guiding questions were placed at the entrance of the Tübingen exhibit and posed directly to visitors. Whereas previously, the historical specimens were displayed openly in lecture halls, during the exhibition, they were placed above and below eye level and could only be viewed through frosted glass, thereby requiring a more deliberate viewing experience. Visitor responses varied widely, Schönhagen told the audience, adding that medical students also engaged actively in the debate. Tübingen’s anatomy department ultimately decided not to display any human remains from unjust contexts in its public collection. A short penal discussion at the Frankfurt workshop revealed a similar diversity of views. In today’s era of perfect plastic replicas, video technology, and AI, do students still need to learn from real human bodies? Should we abandon human specimens altogether? Questions like this also raise more questions about the necessity of dissection courses in medical studies. Prof. Thomas Deller of Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Anatomy emphasized the importance of human specimens — not just for anatomical training, but for students’ emotional engagement with death and the donors’ fates. Since the 1990s, medical students in Frankfurt have expressed gratitude to body donors by holding solemn memorial services. Deller advocated using anatomical collections in medical education — and considering public access, as public interest in anatomy is evident from popular exhibits like “Body Worlds.”
Dr. Michael Markert’s lecture focused on prenatal specimens, based on his 2017–2019 provenance research at the University of Göttingen on the human embryology collection of Blechschmidt. Anatomist Erich Blechschmidt began collecting embryos and fetuses during the Nazi era – many likely from forced abortions – and continued his collections after the war ended without obtaining the consent of the mothers who had suffered a miscarriage or abortion. He created 60 large plastic models from the specimens. The human prenatal specimens were preserved into the 2000s, even though they had desiccated and no longer had any scientific value. Some have since been buried. A small exhibit, co-curated with students, now honors the unnamed mothers.
Today, informed consent is essential for using human specimens — but does that also apply to images, such as historic X-rays? This issue was explored by Prof. Sabine Schlegelmilch, medical historian from the University of Würzburg. Other presentations addressed preservation, as well as ethics surrounding the storage, burial or disposal of human remains. Historical puzzles of anatomy were discussed by Dr. Sara Doll (who uncovered the misidentification of the „Schinderhannes“ skeleton) and PD Dr. Helmut Wicht (who examined the forgery of the Zwick skull).
No Standard Solutions
“I appreciate that Goethe University Frankfurt considers the responsible handling of human remains a university-wide responsibility. The Frankfurt workshop was very enriching for us in Mainz. We’ve strengthened our regional and national networks, and we’ll definitely continue the dialogue,“ said Lisa Roemer, collection coordinator at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. “There will be no one-size-fits-all solutions,” concluded organizer Moritz Verdenhalven, adding that it nevertheless is essential to engage with the topic and document reflections. „A guide can only highlight issues and suggest possible solutions – decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis.” Even exhibitions can be justified – provided they are approached with sensitivity and deliberation.
