title: Is the commercialisation of human tissue and body material forbidden in the countries of the European Union?
abstract: The human body and its parts are widely perceived as matters beyond commercial usage. This belief is codified in several national and European documents. This so-called 'no-property rule' is held to be the default position across the countries of the European Union. However, a closer look at the most pertinent national and European documents, and also current practices in the field, reveals a gradual model of commercialisation of human tissue. In particular, we will argue that the ban on commercialisation of body material is not as strict as it may appear at first sight, leaving room for the commercial practice of tissue procurement and transfer. We argue for more transparent information for patients and tissue donors, an intensified ethical debate on commercialisation practices, and a critical review of current normative principles.
authors.affiliation: Department for Medical Ethics and History of Medicine, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 36, Göttingen 37073, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lenk
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Beier
mesh_terms: D003132:Commerce / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005062:European Union; D006801:Humans; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014015:Tissue Banks / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*