The Commodification of Body Parts of the Living – Looking Eastward to Go Westward?

Abstract

The philosophy on the procurement of body parts of the living for medical treatment purposes appears to be strengthened by altruism; or significantly rests on it. The other weak, and adjudged unethical, limb is pecuniary gains from their sales. These two either profit making or altruism are apparently in sharp contrast. However opposed commercialisation may be to altruism, they are not entirely mutually exclusive. This paper explores the advancement in the thoughts to equate living human body parts with goods in commercial transactions. It seeks to suggest a framework for dealings in human body parts for return in cash and or other benevolent grounds, yet keeping altruism within reach. It points at the Iranian system to reinforce the way forward for the global community.