Altruism Reconsidered

Exploring New Approaches to Property in Human Tissue

Urban Wiesing author Peter Sýkora author Michael Steinmann editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:4th Sep '09

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

This hardback is available in another edition too:

Altruism Reconsidered cover

As the use of human body parts has become increasingly commercialized, a need has arisen for new approaches to regulation that moves beyond the paradigm of altruism. During the course of this discussion, the notion of property has become a key concept. Focusing on practical and conceptual perspectives, the multidisciplinary group of authors, which includes specialists in philosophy, law, sociology, biology and medicine, have come together with practicing lawyers to consider both legal provisions and patterns of regulation in countries across Europe. Identifying divergences between different legal traditions, the authors explore various conceptual models which could be used to improve and to guide policy making. With this twin focus on practical and conceptual perspectives, this volume sets the standard for a detailed and innovative discussion of issues surrounding the regulation of research on human tissue.

'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

ISBN: 9780754672708

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 748g

330 pages