Maddox, Neil (2016) ‘Abandonment’ and the Acquisition of Property Rights in Separated Human Biomaterials. Medical Law International, 16 (3-4). pp. 229-251. ISSN 0968-5332

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Abstract

This paper offers a critique of the concept of ‘abandonment’ when utilised in relation to separated human biomaterials. In the absence of the recognition of even limited property rights in the human source of such materials, the author contends that utilising abandonment is meaningless and misleading. Absurd consequences need not result from recognition of such limited property rights and indeed most cases of purported abandonment of human tissue are more akin to voluntary transfers. Describing such transfers in terms of abandonment obscures questions as to the agency and the scope of the fiduciary duties of medical professionals and researchers. Income rights in such materials are more appropriately determined in reference to normative questions concerning creator incentives, not by reference to abandonment. A framework that clearly identified when and in whom original property entitlements in the body vest, would help remove any subsequent conceptual confusion about the subsequent loss, transfer or abandonment of these entitlements.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Abandonment; human biomaterials; property rights; biotechnology; waste tissue;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Law
Item ID:	12254
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1177/0968533216679486
Depositing User:	Dr. Neil Maddox
Date Deposited:	23 Jan 2020 17:09
Journal or Publication Title:	Medical Law International
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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