Autopsy degrading, says BMA.

BRITAIN'S first public dissection of a human body for 170 years went ahead amid the threat of arrest.

Professor Gunther von Hagens, whose Body World Exhibition displays preserved human corpses, carried out the post-mortem examination - televised on Channel 4 - in a London art gallery last night.

However, it is understood a file will now be sent to the Crown Prosecution Service for a decision on whether he should face criminal charges under the Anatomy Act.

Dr Michael Wilkes, head of the BMA's Ethics Committee, said: ``The entertainment value was pretty high for some people, but I don't think the limited education aspect justifies the degrading and disrespectful way in which it was done.''

Asked if it was unethical, Prof von Hagens said: ``Don't ask me, ask the audience.''

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EXAMINATION: Dr von Hagens performs his dissection