Abstract
Recent break-throughs in surgery and the discovery of an effective immunosupressive drug called cyclosporin, have brought a Renaissance in organ transplants. These medical advances have also heightened concern over the already critical shortage of body organs. Several alternatives have been suggested which may help alleviate the organ shortage. One such alternative is to allow commerce in human organs. This article discusses the morality of commercialization of human organs within the framework of several ethical theories.
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Shaheen Borna is Associate Professor of Marketing at the Ball State University and has written several articles on advertising. Latest publication: ‘The Informative and Persuasive Functions of Advertising: a Moral Appraisal — A Comment’, Journal of Business Ethics 4 (1985), pp. 151–153.
The first draft of this paper was presented to the faculty of Ball State University in the Bureau of Business Research Faculty Seminar Series. The author would like to thank all the faculty who provided insightful comments, particularly Dean Palomba, professors Williams and Hendrix. The author also would like to thank Mrs. Sandra Marsh for her invaluable editorial help.
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Borna, S. Morality and marketing human organs. J Bus Ethics 6, 37–44 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00382946
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00382946