dnnyboy

Great question.

First of all, we follow the ICOM Code of Ethics and specifically their standards on human remains. We will never exhibit anything without a reason. Also, when exhibiting such human remains we try to do it with the utmost respect and care. I personally believe that the case showing the conjoined twins is one of the most beautiful we have in the museum.

There are major cultural differences when it comes to taste. Danes are usually not squeamish, but we did end up posting a notice at the entrance to the exhibition warning parents about the contents. When asked if the exhibition is appropriate for children, we usually say that everyone is welcome but children should visit only in the company of adults.

Unlike big commercial exhibits such as Body Worlds, we are non-profit and our aim is to educate and fascinate. Not make money :)

Yes, it's not unlikely. However, we don't know exactly why they died, so separating them may not have saved them.

So I did a bit of researching and as it turns out they did indeed share a navel and umbilical cord.

After their birth they seemed to have completely separate vital functions. The only thing indicating a internal connection was that when one child's breathing was disturbed (while nursing or crying), the other child face's was slightly flushed...

I have never smelled them, but I imagine the two wet specimens smell like formaldehyde. I'll ask the conservators tomorrow!

UPDATE: the dry skin specimen doesn't really smell. The skin is very thin and dry. Different materials were used for the taxidermic preparation, but none of them had any smell.

For most people who have this surgery it's a last resort. In other words, they are so heavy that their obesity will kill them unless they lose weight.

Another interesting fact is that people who are also type 2 diabetics are more or less cured of their diabetes when they have this surgery. And this happens within days, so it's not because of weight loss.