These days, a new technique called plastinization has been developed by Gunther von Hagens. This involves the removal of water and fat (such as lipids) from the body, and their replacement, using a vacuum technique, with silicone rubber and epoxy resin, a hugely versatile material that is used in all sorts of paints and adhesives and flexible products. Like formaldehyde, this produces a lifelike appearance, but because of the stiffness of the plastics used, the bodies can be set into lifelike poses. An exhibition of these preserved and posed bodies, Body Worlds, has been touring the world
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