This chapter explores the debates that have arisen in relation to questions of ownership and control of our bodies, and what we are (or should be) able to do, with our separated human body parts and tissue. In recent years, this debate has centred on the status of the body as property, key aspects of which are examined in this chapter. In order to explore the parameters of this debate, the chapter proceeds with first identifying key terms, before moving on to examine key concepts such as ownership, control, and commodification; various property models in human tissue; and a comparative overview of jurisprudence addressing questions of trade and property in human tissue. Thereafter, an examination is provided of key UK case law which engages with the property approach in human tissue, covering reproductive material, the embryo, and the dead body, by way of example. The final section briefly examines intellectual property in human tissue.
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This chapter examines legal and ethical aspects of organ donation and body part ownership. Topics discussed include the Human Tissue Act 2004; liability for mishaps from organ transplant; the shortage of organs for transplant; xenotransplantation; selling organs; face transplants; and the living body as property. Running through this chapter is a discussion of whether it is preferable to see the body and parts of the body as property or whether they need their own system of legal protection through a statute. This debate ties into broader discussions about the nature of the self and what makes bodies valuable.
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This chapter examines legal and ethical aspects of organ donation and body part ownership. Topics discussed include the Human Tissue Act 2004; liability for mishaps from organ transplant; the shortage of organs for transplant; xenotransplantation; selling organs; face transplants; and the living body as property. Running through this chapter is a discussion of whether it is preferable to see the body and parts of the body as property or whether they need their own system of legal protection through a statute. This debate ties into broader discussions about the nature of the self and what makes bodies valuable.
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This chapter evaluates the idea of ‘social harm’, considering whether we should think of it as being separate from, or related to, what we have previously thought of as ‘criminology’. It begins by examining what social harm is, and the many criticisms that its proponents make of traditional interpretations of ‘crime’ and ‘criminology’. The social harm approach, a perspective that has become increasingly prominent over the past two decades, argues that state-generated, legal definitions of ‘crime’ are much too narrow, as they do not reflect significant (though not always illegal) social, physical, emotional, psychological, cultural, and financial and economic harms that can be inflicted by social structures, multinational bodies, and the state. So far, much of the work in this area has focused on broader theoretical and conceptual issues, but social harm perspectives have also informed important studies of a wide range of social occurrences and events. These have ranged from studies of the harm caused by corporations, human trafficking, genocide, austerity measures, intimate partner violence, and penal harm.
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Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in Donoghue v Poplar Housing and Regeneration Community Association Limited and another [2001] EWCA Civ 595, Court of Appeal. This case concerned whether Poplar Housing was a public body for the purposes of s. 6(3)(b) of the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA). Public bodies are required to act in accordance with the HRA. The document also includes supporting commentary from author Thomas Webb.
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Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in Parochial Church Council of the Parish of Aston Cantlow, Wilmcote with Billesley v Wallbank [2003] UKHL 37, House of Lords. The underlying substantive issue in this case was the question of whether the Wallbanks were liable to pay for the repair of their local parish church. However, this case note focuses on the definition of public authorities under s. 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA). Public authorities are required to act in accordance with the HRA, and the Wallbanks contended that the Parochial Church Council was a public authority within the meaning of s. 6. The document also includes supporting commentary from author Thomas Webb.
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Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in YL v Birmingham City Council [2007] UKHL 27, House of Lords. This case is concerned with the identification of public bodies and public functions under s. 6(3)(b) of the Human Rights Act 1998. The document also includes supporting commentary from author Thomas Webb.
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This chapter examines the work of the United Nations (UN) in the area of human rights. It discusses the evolution of human rights under the auspices of the UN as well as some of the early influences on human rights. The influence of the Nuremberg trials, the abolition of slavery, and the protection of vulnerable groups on the development of human rights protection law are discussed. Relevant institutions and bodies working under the auspices of the United Nations are also discussed. The chapter explains the functions and responsibilities of these bodies and highlights the financial and personnel constraints that negatively affect the performance of their duties.
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This chapter examines the work of the United Nations (UN) in the area of human rights. It discusses the evolution of human rights under the auspices of the UN as well as some of the early influences on human rights. The influence of the Nuremberg trials, the abolition of slavery, and the protection of vulnerable groups on the development of human rights protection law is discussed. Relevant institutions and bodies working under the auspices of the United Nations are discussed. The chapter also explains the functions and responsibilities of these bodies, and highlights the financial and personnel constraints that negatively affect the performance of their duties.
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G. T. Laurie, S. H. E. Harmon, and E. S. Dove
This chapter examines the question of the limits set on our right to control our bodies or parts thereof. This debate has centred on the very important issue of our relationship with our body, and the status of the body, which has most recently been shaped by ideas of property. The chapter considers three aspects of that debate: property in material taken from living persons; property in material taken from cadavers; and the granting of intellectual property rights in human material.
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Public bodies have extensive powers to act for the public benefit but often have limited resources. Difficult decisions have to be made, and if those decisions are wholly unreasonable they may be corrected by judicial review; that is, by public law remedies. A more difficult question is whether failure by a public body provides a private right of action to someone harmed (or not benefited) by the decision. While the general principles of duty of care apply (that is, proximity and whether it is fair and just to impose liability), there are several limitations on the liability of public bodies in negligence. This chapter first discusses the special common law principles applicable to the exercise of discretion by public bodies. It then considers specific problematic areas, including the difficulties involved in establishing duties of care by the emergency services before examining the effect of the Human Rights Act 1998 in establishing obligations owed directly by the state.
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Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in Donoghue v Poplar Housing and Regeneration Community Association Limited and another [2001] EWCA Civ 595, Court of Appeal. This case concerned whether Poplar Housing was a public body for the purposes of s. 6(3)(b) of the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA). Public bodies are required to act in accordance with the HRA. The document also includes supporting commentary and questions from author Thomas Webb.
Chapter
Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in Parochial Church Council of the Parish of Aston Cantlow, Wilmcote with Billesley v Wallbank [2003] UKHL 37, House of Lords. The underlying substantive issue in this case was the question of whether the Wallbanks were liable to pay for the repair of their local parish church. However, this case note focuses on the definition of public authorities under s. 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA). Public authorities are required to act in accordance with the HRA, and the Wallbanks contended that the Parochial Church Council was a public authority within the meaning of s. 6. The document also includes supporting commentary and questions from author Thomas Webb.
Chapter
Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in YL v Birmingham City Council [2007] UKHL 27, House of Lords. This case is concerned with the identification of public bodies and public functions under s. 6(3)(b) of the Human Rights Act 1998. The document also includes supporting commentary and questions from author Thomas Webb.
Chapter
Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in Donoghue v Poplar Housing and Regeneration Community Association Limited and another [2001] EWCA Civ 595, Court of Appeal. This case concerned whether Poplar Housing was a public body for the purposes of s. 6(3)(b) of the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA). Public bodies are required to act in accordance with the HRA. The document also includes supporting commentary and questions from author Thomas Webb.
Chapter
Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in YL v Birmingham City Council [2007] UKHL 27, House of Lords. This case is concerned with the identification of public bodies and public functions under s. 6(3)(b) of the Human Rights Act 1998. The document also includes supporting commentary and questions from author Thomas Webb.
Chapter
Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in Parochial Church Council of the Parish of Aston Cantlow, Wilmcote with Billesley v Wallbank [2003] UKHL 37, House of Lords. The underlying substantive issue in this case was the question of whether the Wallbanks were liable to pay for the repair of their local parish church. However, this case note focuses on the definition of public authorities under s. 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA). Public authorities are required to act in accordance with the HRA, and the Wallbanks contended that the Parochial Church Council was a public authority within the meaning of s. 6. The document also includes supporting commentary and questions from author Thomas Webb.
Chapter
This chapter deals with statutory provisions governing human tissue and organ transplantation, with particular reference to the Human Tissue Act 2004. It first considers the position at common law with regards to property in the human body, followed by a discussion of appropriate consent given by potential donors prior to their death or by deceased donors. It also considers the change in law to presumed consent under the Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Act 2019. Organ donation from living persons and ethical issues surrounding organ transplantation are then explored. The chapter concludes by looking at alternative sources of organs, including xenotransplantation and artificial organs. Relevant court cases are cited, where appropriate.
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This chapter outlines the emergence of human rights in the sphere of international law and organization, and discusses the sources of human rights standards, non-discrimination and collective rights, the scope of human rights standards, and the regional protection and enforcement of human rights.
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Jane Connors
This chapter examines the work of the United Nations in the field of human rights. Particular attention is given to the Human Rights Council and its special procedures, as well as the treaty bodies that consider progress in the implementation of UN human rights treaties. In addition, the roles of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the General Assembly, Security Council, Secretary-General, and International Court of Justice are considered.
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