Bodies for Sale: Ethics and Exploitation in the Human Body Trade

by Stephen Wilkinson

Bodies for Ethics and Exploitation in the Human Body Trade explores the philosophical and practical issues raised by activities such as surrogacy and organ trafficking. Stephen Wilkinson asks what is it that makes some commercial uses of the body controversial, whether the arguments against commercial exploitation stand up, and whether legislation outlawing such practices is really justified.

In Part One Wilkinson explains and analyses some of the notoriously slippery concepts used in the body commodification debate, including exploitation, harm and consent. In Part Two he focuses on three controversial issues (the buying and selling of human kidneys, commercial surrogacy, and DNA patenting) outlining contemporary regulation and investigating both the moral issues and the arguments for legal prohibition.

264 pages, Hardcover

First published March 27, 2003

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although outdated on the final chapter I believe the exploration of the three main topics, and the introduction to ethical principles are well put together.

The views expressed are clearly laid out and the topics explained and explored are to a required depth.

[Orlaith]

It is amazing how some books are getting out-of-date so quickly as we continue to make technological and medical advances.