Gunther Von Hagens

Gunther von Hagens, is a German doctor who has patented a process of preserving tissue in polyurethane, after death. This process, called plastination, was used to preserve the bodies for the Body Worlds exhibition.

He told BILD magazine that an employee of the late pop-star Michael Jackson, has been in contact with him regarding the procedure.http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/celebrity-gossip/2009/03/17/michael-jackson-to-be-plastinated/dr-death-gunther-von-hagens-to-immortalise-the-king-of-pop.html

Von Hagens fled Germany in 1969 and was caught and jailed, as he attempted to cross into Austria.

Following his release, he completed his doctorate at the University of Heidelberg and went on to become a lecturer.

In the late 1970s, he developed and patented a process called plastination, that preserves tissue. In the early 1900's, this process was used to envelop entire bodies. Those early plastinated specimens were put on display in Japan in 1995. Von Hagens later produced the Body Worlds exhibitions, that took place across the world.http://www.bodyworlds.com/en/gunther_von_hagens/life_in_science.html