Abstract
Introduction
In 2006, investigations into alleged scientific fraud by the South Korean stem cell scientist, Woo Suk Hwang, revealed that there were, among other concerns, contentious circumstances surrounding procurement of oocytes for research. Specifically, in the attempt to be the first to successfully clone a human embryo, Hwang had obtained oocytes from paid donors and junior members of his own research team, and he had lied about the conditions under which the oocytes had been obtained. This controversy emphasised the ethical concerns surrounding the degree to which incentives may be a part in the procurement of oocytes. While this apparently isolated incident was alleged by some to be a result of economic and political influences upon scientific independence and integrity, the case for inducements or incentives for consensual donation of cells, tissues and organs from healthy ‘donors’ remains a challenging ethical problem, and is exemplified by two opposing arguments. On the one hand, the donation, gifting or selling of body parts is seen as an expression of personal autonomy, reflecting ownership and control of the body. On the other hand, such practices may encourage a dangerous attitude towards the commodification of the body, and therefore merely result in the creation of an exploitative and uncontrollable market in human body parts.
© Walter de Gruyter
