This book examines the ethical issues related to organ transplants from the points of view of bioethicists, anthropological researchers and legislative issues. Altruism, as is still a primary player in blood donation, is increasingly losing its hallowed place, where solid organs are concerned. The human body is increasingly being viewed as a repository of organs available for harvesting, governed by principles or commerce or reward by the body owners, agents and beneficiaries. Pro-health and pro-choice issues are discussed, along with the role of preventive medicine. The fact is that immunosuppressant pharmaceutical interventions have made this double edged choice a real possibility. Illicit trade in human organs is considered to be a result of global capitalism that tempts the impoverished and disenfranchised populations of the third world for whom a body organ is one thing that requires no labour to produce in order to fetch a monetary value. Market dynamics is changing the rules of the game and all of us need to cope with the dilemma whether to opt for what was heretofore seen as graceful, dignified death as against offering up the mortal body for organ harvest or medical research.
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