Busy bodies
After careful study and consideration, Harvard University library has removed the binding of one of its books, because it was made from human skin. The decision was made in the light of stakeholder engagement
and taking into account the ethically fraught nature of the book's origins and subsequent history.
The library is exploring options to ensure the human remains will be given a respectful disposition that seeks to restore dignity to the woman whose skin was used
, and is conducting additional biographical and provenance research into the anonymous female patient
.
The woman in question was an unclaimed patient of the doctor to whom the book was donated by its author, and who had died of natural causes. The good doctor had retained the skin from her back, although whether it was in anticipation of such decorative embellishment or some other kink is unknown. Either way, I'm getting Ed Gein vibes. (eek)
Given that her identity and that of any descendants is unknown, the engagement of stakeholders
is probably of the ethical hand-wringing variety. It'd be interesting to know what, if any, practical restorative benefit comes of this, other than liberal mithering.