Independent Research A

#1

Research Uses Grow For Virtual Cadavers
BY DENISE GRADY

précis:
2 cadavers earned the status of immortality in cyberspace. Their bodies were cut thousands of times by thin cross sections to create computerized anatomy. The program reconstructs the tissue sections into 3-d images, and has wide accessibility. This was produced by a team of doctors and students and is changing anatomy students learning environment. The bodies were frozen, and sliced like deli ham and after each millimeter of removal a photo was taken. Dr. Robb was the first to view the project and his goal is to use computer techniques to have surgeons practice operations, helping them to know the relationship of the structures in different regions. The one error in the project is no DNA samples were saved to trace the detail back to the genes. Dreams for more advanced technology is on the rise.

http://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/08/science/research-uses-grow-for-virtual-cadavers.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
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MEDICINE; Lessons in Body and Soul
By LYNNE AMES

précis:
250 students gather at the 12th annual memorial to commemorate all the cadavers used in anatomy class. The students recognize them as once living. Acknowledge the respect for human life an all they learn from holding a real cadavers in their hands. Dr. Pravety assistant professor of biology and anatomy re-iterates the importance of respect throughout the course and the care expected at the end. The students reiterate thanks and the relatives gain closure.

http://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/11/nyregion/medicine-lessons-in-body-and-soul.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
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Both articles were written in high honor and utter bafflement of the achievement and use of cadavers in medical school. One illustrates the amazing medical advancements being made with technology, the next illustrating the deep connection the anatomy students create with the cadavers. Every participant of all such activity seems to have a high sense of importance and ever lasting impressions on the still living. The cadaver donators and spectators seem to see donation to science as a way to continue living and making an impact. I think it is insane what we are able to accomplish with science but like every generation past I cannot help feel resilience towards these accomplishments. We are venturing into the depths of ourselves versus the depths of our surroundings.

MUST VIEW VIEDO CLIP !!!!!! : http://www.nlm.nih.gov/research/visible/mpeg/umd_video.mpg


In the memorial tribute to the anatomy class cadavers, they repetitively state that they must think of these human cadavers AS ONCE LIVING AND TIED TO RELATIONSHIPS. Characterizing a life they have no knowledge about to give the cadaver respect. Why do we as humans feel the need to "respect" cadavers if the life is no longer existent? This must stem from an underlying belief that our souls still linger and are aware of the bodies. I myself have a strong feeling of respect towards human cadavers. Ross Goldberg a speaker at the memorial stated: ''I was holding this brain, the essence of this person, in my hands,'' currently we are devout believers that the soul, spirit, whatever one chooses to call it LAYS IN OUR BRAIN. We have our knowledge so far up our ass it’s insane. We & I are so pleased with the knowledge we accumulate about everything and anything. To the fact that it boils down to our true self? I disagree highly on this belief what makes up my life is the experience I internalize with my sense and my though process, it is not only what I can categorize as thought but FEELING, though this truly cannot be described in the symbols of English.



#2

I walked around East Harlem on this sunny day, the streets were lively as always; once the sun hits the pavement up here you can be sure. The first 2 funeral homes I visited were closed and seemed dead themselves an eerie abandonment to both of them, yet they both had their lights on! The last two I visited were the Mickey Funeral Service, and Owens Funeral Home INC. " Where beauty softens your grief". Both in brownstones, upstairs being the "chapel" downstairs being the office. Mickey's had a dusty moldy smell to it with worn brown chairs and dim lighting. Owens’s was bright and flashy with plastic covered upholstery and flashy Mirrors everywhere. Two very different, very odd atmospheres. Owens stated " I never hear people talking about death and beauty in the same conversation but, to me, death and beauty go hand in hand. Death is nasty. Death is cruel. Well, Isaiah Owens takes that and creates a portrait of your loved one that you can remember all your life." He has had the inspiration to follow this career since he grew up on a farm and there were animals to bury left and right. He says in his 40 years of business, embalming jobs have changed tremendously. There is way less gun shots, and stabs, and cuts, and roof jumpers then there were 10 years ago, he says now most of his clients die of diseases and old age. Prices for the caskets range from $430 - $200,000. Mr. Myers from Mickey’s says he receives satisfaction from helping the families grieve.

I feel as though Owens see's himself as a remover of the grotesque reality of death. That he can wave his wand and make it fiction. Helping to "shelter" us from the appearance of a dead body. I wonder if he is truly afraid of death or if doing his job gives him a sense of order "fixing" the rot of our world. Both funeral homes that I visited felt cold and gave off an overwhelming a grandiose attempt to make one feel comfortable resulting in the exact opposite.

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FURTHER QUESTIONING:

WHAT IS LIFE ?
WHAT IS DEATH ?
WHAT IS FEELING ?
WHAT IS THOUGHT ?