Black Markets: The Supply and Demand of Body Parts

By Michele Goodwin

Book Overview

In America, in direct response to indefinite delays on the national transplantation waitlists and an inadequate supply of organs, a growing number of terminally ill Americans are turning to international underground markets and coordinators or brokers for organs. Chinese inmates on death-row and the economically disadvantaged in India and Brazil are the often compromised co-participants in the private negotiation process, which occurs outside the legal process - or in the shadows of law. These individuals supply kidneys and other organs for Americans and other Westerners willing to shop and pay in the private process. This book contends that exclusive reliance on the present altruistic tissue and organ procurement processes in the United States is not only rife with problems, but also improvident. The author explores how the altruistic approach leads to a 'black market' of organs being harvested from Third World individuals as well as compelled donations from children and incompetent persons.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1107642752
• ISBN13: 9781107642751
• Release Date: May 2013
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 314 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Great book!

This is an intriguing expose' on the underground market for human body parts. I would definitely recommend it--it is quite eye-opening!

Black Markets : The Supply and Demand of Body Parts

This is very interesting reading. Being an avid reader, I am always browsing through books looking for something knowledgeable and different from my usual relationship topics. This caught my attention and I could not put it down. I would never expect a book of this nature to do that. This author did a fantastically wonderful job of shining light on a subject that is very important and does not receive attention. More importantly, it is written in a way that would engage the average person. Great job !!!!

Timely and Honest

I am incredibly impressed with this author. I participated in a conference hosted by her law school this past weekend. It was outstanding! She read from the book and the room was in complete silence. She is a brilliant author and professor. This is one of the few books written by a bioethicist that speaks to the public. I congratulate the author.

Amazing

This is one of the best books I have ever seen. It got amazing reviews. I have learned so much about the importance and flaws of buying and selling body parts. Two thumbs up.