In a groundbreaking decision, Harvard University has resolved to demolish Houghton Library, a renowned edifice faced with tanned human skin. After extensive deliberations and consultation with ethical experts, the university’s Steering Committee has concluded that the library’s construction using the skin of nearly 10,000 human bodies without their consent violates the institution’s moral principles.
Despite the prevalence of such practices in the past, Harvard has recognized that the ethical concerns surrounding Houghton Library’s origins are substantial. The university acknowledges that the building’s facade, adorned with human skin, along with bookshelves crafted from human rib cages and door handles made from embalmed human hands, are incompatible with its moral code. Expressing remorse, Harvard has pledged to uphold higher ethical standards in the future.
In response to Harvard’s decision, Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Library of Congress have issued a joint statement expressing their disagreement. They contend that the historical significance of their own buildings constructed from human skin outweighs any ethical concerns, and they will continue to maintain these structures.
