The legacy of Gunther von Hagens: Reflections on an anatomist and innovator who challenged the ethical boundaries of anatomy.

Gunther von Hagens, who died on July 24, 2026, was a controversial figure whose influence on anatomy extends well beyond the Body Worlds exhibitions of plastinated human tissues for which he became internationally known. His work raised the public profile of anatomy, though it generated significant debate. Much of the academic discussion of his work has focused on ethical concerns surrounding the sourcing and display of plastinated human tissues, as well as his decision to undertake public dissection of a donor. These issues remain important, but they can obscure the extent to which his innovations using plastination techniques changed the possibilities for preserving and teaching human anatomy. Plastinated specimens are now used in anatomy education and research in institutions around the world, providing durable and transportable educational resources while also extending access to anatomical specimens. Von Hagens also had an unintended influence on the development of ethics in anatomy, whereby the controversy surrounding his work brought anatomy into public and academic discussions, prompting ongoing discourse around the ethical boundaries of working with human tissues. Because of these multiple influences, any legacy attached to von Hagens' remains difficult to balance. The anatomy community should recognize the significance of his contribution while continuing to examine the ethical questions that accompanied it.