Gunther von Hagens, Creator of 'Body Worlds', Dies at 81; Legacy of Plastination Continues
Gunther von Hagens, the German scientist renowned for his 'Body Worlds' exhibitions, passed away at the age of 81 in Heidelberg, Germany, following a cerebral hemorrhage. Von Hagens, who had been living with Parkinson's disease since 2008, was known for developing the plastination technique in the late 1970s. This method preserves human bodies in lifelike poses for educational purposes. His exhibitions, which began in Tokyo in 1995, attracted over 50 million visitors worldwide but also faced criticism from religious and human rights groups. Despite controversies, von Hagens maintained that all bodies used in his exhibitions were donated with consent. His family plans to honor his wish to have his own body plastinated. 
