Stephen G. Post

About the author: Stephen G. Post is a professor at the Center for Biomedical Ethics at Case Western Reserve University and the author of Inquiries in Bioethics.

The buying and selling of human organs violates human dignity. A system in which the poor are forced to earn money by selling their body parts to the rich is unethical. For example, there is already a black market for organs in India wherein the poor sell their spare kidneys to the wealthy. The libertarian idea that the human body is property that can be sold off is objectionable and contrary to most religious teachings. Finally, commerce in human organs would undercut the spirit of philanthropy that currently drives organ donation, and thus may actually exacerbate the organ shortage.

Should we allow competent adults...