City Cast Philly logo
October 11, 2023

The Mütter Museum’s Ethical Drama

City Cast Philly

The Mütter Museum’s Ethical Drama

00:00:00
View all City Cast Philly episodes

The Mütter is Philly’s iconic medical history museum. More than 100,000 visitors come every year to see displays like Albert Einstein's brain or an enormous human colon. But these exhibits involve real remains, many obtained years ago through grave robbing or other shady practices. Now, the museum is taking a new look at whether their display is ethical. Reexamining the collection, however, has sparked a backlash from the museum's fans. City Cast Philly’s Laura Benshoff talks with Malcolm Burnley, freelance reporter for Philadelphia Magazine, about the controversy and why many museums are changing their approach to exhibiting human remains right now.


Check out Malcolm's Philadelphia Magazine story on the Mütter Museum here.


RSVP to the Mütter Museum's Town Hall on October 17 here.


Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Philly.


We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly.


Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170.


Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Philly

Stay connected to City Cast Philly and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
September 18

House of Horrors in Olney, Judge Wants Krasner Investigated & an Evacuation at City Hall

City Hall was evacuated Thursday morning during City Council’s first meeting of the season after a suspicious package was found. Host Tre...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
September 17

Should PPA Rent Parking Spots to ICE? Plus: Job Search Tips & Pay-What-You-Can Dining

A couple of Philadelphia restaurants are bringing back the pay-what-you-can model of customers ordering what they want and then just payi...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
September 16

Stopping Data Centers, Preserving Murals & Welcoming … Polo?

Data centers are everywhere, but it’s a booming industry that’s created contentious conversations in communities – Philly included. This...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
September 15

Ranking Philly Sports Experiences, Housing vs. Third Spaces & Where to Scream

Our city's professional sports teams are on a roll — the Eagles won their home opener, the Phillies look like they’re headed to the playo...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
September 14

John Fetterman: Our Very Controversial Senator, Explained

U.S. Senator John Fetterman is inching closer to President Trump and the Republican Party. Is he simply working across the aisle, or dram...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
September 13

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Las Vegas Is Handling Record-Breaking Heat — Presented By City Cast Philly

It may not feel like it right now, but extreme heat is coming for Philly, and Las Vegas might have the answers you need. An already sizzl...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
September 11

Eagles! Merch & Weird Linc Food, Johnny Doc is Free & Where Else Can 'Open Streets' Go?

In an unexpected move, President Trump commuted former local labor leader John Dougherty’s six-year sentence for bribery and embezzlement...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
September 10

Will Philly Benefit From New Sports Arena? Plus: A Challenger in Mayor’s Race & Your Last Philly Meal

We’re reacting to the renderings of the new Sixers, Flyers, and WNBA arena in South Philly. City Council will need to review and approve...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
September 9

How Philly Became the Country's Public Garden Capital

Philly is home to 38 public gardens and historic landscapes, more than anywhere else in the country. Today we're revisiting a conversatio...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
September 8

Making Friends in Philly As an Adult

We’re talking about friends and friendship in Philly. If you’re a lifelong Philadelphian, you have friends from your childhood, but where...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art