A congressman and critic of human rights abuses in China is urging a federal probe into the origin of Chinese corpses put on display at "Bodies" shows, including one at the Carnegie Science Center.

Rep. Christopher Smith, R-N.J., is asking the House Foreign Affairs Committee to investigate the source of the preserved cadavers that strike various poses. He is asking for a moratorium on the wildly popular exhibitions, and is calling for the U.S. attorney general to investigate.

The move follows an ABC News "20/20" investigation that alleged that a black market of bodies in that country led to the inclusions of some executed prisoners in shows sponsored by Premier Exhibitions. Mr. Smith plans to draft legislation that would require a group of experts to verify the identity of each body on display.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has started a probe on the human body exhibits. Officials from Premier Exhibitions, who said they were appalled at the allegations, said they would cooperate.

The call for the second probe will not change things at the Carnegie Science Center.

"We have brought in a very educational exhibit," said spokeswoman Ann Metzger. "That is the beginning and end of what we want to say."

The public, however, will continue to debate whether the exhibit of dead bodies is enlightening and educational or freakish and exploitative, during a televised town hall meeting Thursday at 7:30 p.m. as a special edition of "On Q" on WQED-TV and online at WQED.org. The public is invited to be part of the audience in WQED's Studio A at 4802 Fifth Ave., Oakland.

"On Q" panelists are Joanna E. Haas, director of Carnegie Science Center; Karl Williams, Allegheny County medical examiner; Alan Meisel, director of the University of Pittsburgh Center for Bioethics and Health Law; Maurita Bryant, Pittsburgh police head of homicide; Scott Miller, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences chief of medical ethics; Jim Weber, director of the Beard Center for Leadership and Ethics at Duquesne University; Rabbi Dan Schiff of the Agency of Jewish Learning; and the Rev. Kris Stubna of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.