Transplantation is a medically successful and cost-effective way to treat people whose organs have failed--but not enough organs are available to meet demand. T. M. Wilkinson explores the major ethical problems raised by policies for acquiring organs. Key topics include the rights of the dead, the role of the family, and the sale of organs.

• 1: INTRODUCTION


• 2: TRANSPLANTATION AND RIGHTS OVER OUR BODIES


• 3: THE POSSIBILITY OF POSTHUMOUS HARM


• 4: THE MORAL CLAIMS OF THE DEAD


• 5: THE DEAD AND THEIR FAMILIES


• 6: CONSENT AND UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE WISHES OF THE DEAD


• 7: CONSCRIPTION


• 8: LIVING DONOR ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION


• 9: IMPARTIALITY, ACQUISITION, AND ALLOCATION


• 10: ORGANS AND MONEY


• Bibliography


• Index

T. M. Wilkinson is an Associate Professor in Political Studies at the University of Auckland. He is a political philosopher with a longstanding interest and publishing record in transplantation ethics. He has published on a wide range of topics besides transplantation, such as distributive justice, freedom, public health ethics, and research ethics. He was chair of the New Zealand government's Bioethics Council and is currently a member of its National Ethics Advisory Committee.