Markets for Human Body Parts: The Case of Commercial Surrogacy

Kirsten Halsnæs*, Thomas Ploug

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

Abstract

The trade in human body parts can be understood as a solution to key challenges for both buyers and suppliers, as well as being a manifestation of individual property rights over one’s own body. However, it can be argued that there are serious ethical issues involved in commercializing the body in this way, despite which there has recently been a large increase in the international trade in human body parts. The most extensive transactions have concerned the trade in kidneys and the services of the fertility industry. An important driver of this is the fact that the medical profession is increasingly able to facilitate exchanges of human body parts relatively smoothly. The chapter focuses on commercial surrogacy as an example of the ethical aspects of the trade in human body parts and addresses the potential interplay between markets and ethical issues.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMarket, Ethics and Religion
Number of pages10
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media B.V.
Publication date2023
Pages211-220
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023
SeriesEthical Economy
Volume62
ISSN2211-2707

Keywords

  • Commercial surrogacy
  • Dignity and exploitation of people
  • Economics
  • Ethics
  • Trade in human body parts

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