Beyond the body as object - a critical examination of the ethics of objectification in transplant

Transplant, inclusive of both organ donation and transplantation, represents a remarkable achievement of modern medicine, yet since its inception its practice has raised significant ethical dilemmas. Through seven chapters, this dissertation traces the trajectory of objectification from historical through contemporary practices of organ donation and transplantation, situating these developments within a pivotal moment of rapid technological acceleration. Using a five-mode taxonomy developed for the analysis of objectification in transplant, I examine the ethical implications of emerging technologies in organ donation while also investigating the experiences of transplant recipients as they navigate challenges to their post-transplant identity and quality of life. I also show how practices of objectification intersect with and exacerbate racial and social inequities, contributing to disparities in transplant access and outcomes. I conclude with an offering of practical changes to the current framework of transplant. Ultimately, I argue that phenomena of objectification are pervasive throughout transplant in ways that are contingent on, and arise from, particular organizational, social, and technological conditions. These forms of objectification fundamentally shape transplant practice, including how organ donors, their organs, and recipients are viewed and treated.