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kaitlinwix's review against another edition
dark
informative
3.75
I enjoyed this book but I've also heard some criticisms of the author's journalistic integrity so I took the work with a grain of salt.
the_epi_reader's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of things happen behind closed doors including the sale of human skeletons for medical school anatomy classes, falsifying the origin of organs for transplants, and the price of blood transfusions in India being more than a monetary cost. The Red Market covers an assortment of topics on how human tissue is traded around the world including different means of becoming a parent - through adoption, in vitro fertilization (IVF), or surrogacy. In addition, Carney recounts his experience with the risks of some human drug trials, where hair is gathered for hair transplants, and the future of stem cell research in organ replacement.
Based on Carney’s residency in India, many of the chapters focus on the processes of human tissue transfer in India, and how they impact European countries and/or the U.S. While I did learn a lot, I felt that Carney focused too much on his opinion rather than fact driven knowledge, some chapters more-so than others. Carney emphasizes that the human tissue industry not only takes advantage of individuals living in poverty but broken health systems where people cannot afford to save their own lives, or have a child, without dipping into systems where prices are more reasonable. If you’re interested in medicine, ethics, or cultural studies Red Market is the book for you!
Based on Carney’s residency in India, many of the chapters focus on the processes of human tissue transfer in India, and how they impact European countries and/or the U.S. While I did learn a lot, I felt that Carney focused too much on his opinion rather than fact driven knowledge, some chapters more-so than others. Carney emphasizes that the human tissue industry not only takes advantage of individuals living in poverty but broken health systems where people cannot afford to save their own lives, or have a child, without dipping into systems where prices are more reasonable. If you’re interested in medicine, ethics, or cultural studies Red Market is the book for you!
akenny614's review against another edition
4.0
Raises great, if troubling, questions on the market of human beings and their parts. I'm not sure that I agree with his solution, but it's obvious that the current system isn't working well.
amibunk's review against another edition
4.0
What an intense and, at times, gruesome read. The concept of the "red market" and the lives that it ruins feels like such an important topic, and yet it is so rarely discussed. I think because so much of the negative consequences occur outside of the United States and Western Europe that we tend not to think about the actual cost involved with organ transplants, blood centers, egg "donation", or adoption. Discovering that human cost gave me much to think about.
Additionally, I think because there is no easy, clear cut solution out of this dilemma, people would rather avoid the topic altogether.
Despite feeling uncomfortable with the subject, I am glad I read this book and encourage you to read it too. There's lots to ponder over in these pages, but take your time. To hurry through this book is to do it (and yourself) a disservice.
Additionally, I think because there is no easy, clear cut solution out of this dilemma, people would rather avoid the topic altogether.
Despite feeling uncomfortable with the subject, I am glad I read this book and encourage you to read it too. There's lots to ponder over in these pages, but take your time. To hurry through this book is to do it (and yourself) a disservice.
alyssakayreads's review against another edition
4.0
Equally fascinating as it is horrifying. Carney digs into the world of blood selling, organ "donations", fertility/surrogacy/adoptions and other items one could find on the red market. It makes it rethink human bodies and how we view them.
tanninsandtales's review against another edition
4.0
All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.
dorianc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
A great deep dive into the red market, a market where bodies, organs, and people are traded for a myriad of reasons. It is a thought provoking exploration of the ethics of trading body parts and humans like commodities,and the exploitation that occur during the purposefully dehumanizing process. From organ donation, foreign adoption, and even the selling of hair, Scott addresses markets that are rarely talked about it even consideres.