Cadavers For Anaatomical Purposes In Stiff By Mary Roach

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In the novel Stiff by Mary Roach, the author writes of the use of human cadavers for anatomical purposes. She begins by introducing a plastic surgery seminar, where surgeons are using cadaver heads for face lifts and rhinoplasty. Roach speaks of the respect in which the surgeons are treating their cadavers, and the memorials held for them. The science of anatomy has grown in its humble treatment of the dead. In the next chapter, Roach informs the reader of the disrespect that these cadavers were treated with only centuries ago, “Few sciences are rooted in shame, infamy, and bad PR as human anatomy” (p.19). The bad PR of human anatomy is stemmed from the disrespect shown for the dead at the start of the science. During the plastic surgery seminar,