Using the Bodies of the Dead

First published in 1998, this unique, timely book applies sociological concepts and analysis to the study of organ transplantation and related medical phenomena. It provides comparisons between differing transplantation systems and examines the ethical issues of organ transplantation, organ donation and recipient selection. The author presents rich empirical materials and fertile theory with which to better understand a number of the current problems and developments related to organ transplantation and other high-tech medical developments. It also addresses important ethical issues. Dr. Nora Machado develops and applies an impressive range of new concepts and models in analyzing organ transplantation systems: the dissonance that appears to be endemic to these systems; the particular functions of a number of hospital roles, rituals, and discourses tin dealing with such dissonance and related conflict; the legal and normative regulation of body part extraction and allocation in large-scale systems; the cognitive and moral dilemmas which physicians, nurses and next-of-kin face in the use of the bodies of the dead. Much of Dr. Machado’s theoretical work is of a highly general value and should be of considerable interest even to those not engaged in issues of organ transplantation or bio-medical developments.