Do We Own Our Bodies?

Abstract

Do we own our own bodies? That seems like a silly question. Of course we do. But do we? Not long ago in Pennsylvania there was a case in which a man needed a bone marrow transplant or he would die. The only person who had suitable bone marrow was his cousin. His cousin had nothing against McFall, the person who needed the marrow. In fact, he liked him. But he was scared. He was scared because although the operation to obtain the bone marrow was not life threatening, it was quite painful. He refused to donate the marrow, and McFall did what any red-blooded American would do—he went to court. He sued for an injunction to order his cousin to give him the bone marrow.