Altruism Reconsidered

'This timely and important collection confronts complex bioethical and legal issues and raises profound philosophical and legal questions. These essays help to unpack the intricate connections between the requirements of health research and concern for individual autonomy, our 'ownership' of our bodies and body parts, and the fundamentals of human dignity.' John Christman, Pennsylvania State University, USA 'Changes in biomedical research and practice require rethinking ethical frameworks. This collection reconsiders understandings and applicability of such concepts as "altruism" and "gift" in relation to tissue donation and biobanks. From a distinguished range of scholars, the chapters visit such notions as duties towards the human body, exploring models of governance and regulation to meet current challenges, both theoretically and practically. A "must read".' Ruth Chadwick, Cardiff University, UK 'Altruism Reconsidered brings together an impressively diverse range of leading scholars, from several different countries and traditions, to scrutinise the concept of property in the human body and its implications for bioethics and regulation. Given the increasing importance of such practices as biobanking, it is a timely and useful addition to the literature.' Stephen Wilkinson, Keele University, UK '... the book succeeds in producing a colourful kaleidoscope of opinions and disciplinary flavours. While a reader might imagine lengthy and boring explanations of a dry legal matter when thinking of property, the book reads well and has succeeded to show the richness and fascination of the matter, as well as the difficulties and limitations of present regulations.' Asian Bioethics Review '...this book provides a handy one-volume introduction to the quickly changing regulatory framework for human tissue transfer in Europe.' Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy