Public Ethics Radio: Anne Phillips on Ownership and the Body

May 17, 2010

Is the human body a piece of property? We object to the sale of whole human beings, but what about cases where a person merely wants to sell a part of her body? If I am free to donate my organs, why am I not free to sell them as well?

Is the human body a piece of property? We certainly object to the sale of whole human beings, but what about cases where a person merely wants to sell a part of her body? If I am free to donate my organs, why am I not free to sell them as well? For Professor Anne Phillips, the problem lies in treating the body as property, analogous to any other commodity.

In this episode of Public Ethics Radio, we explore issues of ownership and the body. These questions do not end with organ sales. What limits, for instance, should we put on the sale of bodily services like surrogacy? Should trade in these services be limited, in order to prevent the poor from being exploited by the rich? Should organ markets be legalized and regulated? We discuss these questions with Anne Phillips, Professor of Political Gender and Gender Theory at the London School of Economics.

You may also like

I'm Still Here poster. Credit: VideoFilmes/RT Features/MACT Productions/IMDB.

JUN 4, 2025 Article

Ethics on Film: Discussion of "I'm Still Here"

This review of the Brazilian Oscar-winning 2024 film "I'm Still Here" explores ethical issues surrounding Brazil's 20th century military dictatorship and parallels to today.

MAY 20, 2025 Podcast

Character not Compliance, with Edward Brooks

Oxford's Dr. Edward Brooks joins "Values & Interests" to discuss how embracing ethics can unlock better thinking, relationships, and outcomes in our personal and professional lives.

MAY 13, 2025 Video

Advancing Global Health in a Moment of Fracturing Partnerships

In this event from our Ethics Empowered: Leadership in Practice series, practitioners examined the impact of today's geopolitical environment on the future of public health.

Not translated

This content has not yet been translated into your language. You can request a translation by clicking the button below.

Request Translation