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October 11, 2023

The Mütter Museum’s Ethical Drama

City Cast Philly

The Mütter Museum’s Ethical Drama

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The Mütter is Philly’s iconic medical history museum. More than 100,000 visitors come every year to see displays like Albert Einstein's brain or an enormous human colon. But these exhibits involve real remains, many obtained years ago through grave robbing or other shady practices. Now, the museum is taking a new look at whether their display is ethical. Reexamining the collection, however, has sparked a backlash from the museum's fans. City Cast Philly’s Laura Benshoff talks with Malcolm Burnley, freelance reporter for Philadelphia Magazine, about the controversy and why many museums are changing their approach to exhibiting human remains right now.


Check out Malcolm's Philadelphia Magazine story on the Mütter Museum here.


RSVP to the Mütter Museum's Town Hall on October 17 here.


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