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Bodies Exhibitions Face Possible Ban in California

Proposed Law Would Outlaw Display of Unclaimed Bodies from China

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Up until 2010 the bill requires that exhibitors post clear and conspicuous disclosure statements to inform consumers whether or not the bodies on display came from consenting donors.

Premier is currently exhibiting nine "BODIES…the Exhibition" shows around the world, which the company says displays unclaimed bodies from China.

In Redding, Calif., Premier is exhibiting "Bodies Revealed," a show which the company says displays bodies and specimens from consenting Chinese donors.

Ma said she doubts that any Chinese person would voluntarily agree to have his or her remains put on public display.

"I find it hard to believe that 'Bodies Revealed' has the proper permission from the deceased or next of kin," said Ma.

Two weeks ago Pennsylvania state lawmakers debated a similar bill that would require companies that exhibit the remains of human bodies to obtain consent forms from body donors.

Penn. State Rep. Mike Fleck (R), who introduced the bill, echoed Ma's concerns. "In America you can't sell your body. To use someone's body against their will in life or death is exploitation."

Brian Wainger, Premier's general counsel, testified before the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee that while it was impossible to prove that none of the bodies were from executed prisoners, the company's supplier in China, Sui Hongjin, has "never supplied to Premier any specimens with evidence of trauma or bodily injury."

Wainger dismissed the 20/20 report as "sensational" but added, "We cannot be 100 percent sure that a liver didn't come from the body of an executed prisoner. What we can do is rely on credible people who are associated with credible universities and institutions."

In an interview for 20/20 in February, former Premier Chairman Arnie Geller, who resigned following the report, told ABC News he was appalled at the allegations that some of the bodies from his Chinese suppliers might be those of executed prisoners.

He said his own medical staff had seen no such evidence and that his suppliers have assured him that "these are all legitimate, unclaimed bodies that have gone through Dalian Medical University."

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