William E. Stempsey

The shortage of viable human organs for people who need transplants has created a lucrative market in such countries as India and Egypt. While the practice remains illegal in the United States, controversy has arisen over whether an individual ought to have the right to profit from his or her own organs. In the following viewpoint, William E. Stempsey claims that the system of selling organs is so riddled with greed and corruption that desperately poor sellers risk being manipulated by wealthier buyers. Stempsey is a medical doctor who works as an assistant professor of philosophy at the College of the Holy Cross and serves on several ethics committees.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to the author, what are the three characteristics of an anonymous act"

2. What does the author mean when...