Unnamed skeletons? US museum at center of ethical debate

For years, a man’s giant intestine was anonymously on display at a US medical museum in Philadelphia, identified only by his initials JW.

Today, the donor display for Joseph Williams depicts not only his anatomical record, but his powerful life story.

After two years of controversy over how to ethically exhibit human remains, the Mutter Museum announced last week it has changed its policy to “contextualize” and de-anonymize its collection.

“The issue isn’t whether we should or shouldn’t exhibit human remains,” said Sara Ray, the museum’s senior director of interpretation and engagement.

“But rather, can we do so in a way that does justice to these individuals and their stories as we trace the history of medicine, bodily diversity, and the tools and therapies developed to treat them?”