The Red Market: On the Trail of the World's Organ Brokers, Bone Thieves, Blood Farmers, and Child Traffickers

Summary (from the publisher): In a ghoulish twist on the free market, humans alive and dead are being trafficked today in a thriving, multibillion-dollar business. Scott Carney's The Red Market lays bares the clandestine practices of kidnappers, thieves, and vendors of organs, blood, hair, and whatever else is marketable in human remains. Not even funeral pyres are exempt from their mercantile scrutiny: Funeral pyres are being looted for anatomical skeletons used in medical schools and labs. Carney's investigative skills imbue this narrative with fascinating, if slightly bracing detail.

Review: I received a hardback, signed (!) copy of this book as a giveaway on Goodreads. I was excited to read it based on the description, particularly since my concentration in college was in the Medical Humanities and I discussed many of the issues Carney describes in his book in class. I was not disappointed. This is a great work of investigative journalism that looks at the red market - the trade in human bodies and body parts - in its many forms from the theft of blood and organs to the selling of hair to adoptions both legal and illegal the world over. What I most enjoyed was Carney's deep personal involvement. The book opens with the author describing his own experience leading a group of American students studying abroad in India when one tragically died and he was put in the position of shepherding the body safely to its destination. Carney also relays his personal experience undergoing a clinical drug testing. Its relatively easy to interview other individuals about their experiences, even easier to read some books and articles for information, but much more powerful to convey your own story as part of the discussion. And I quite agree with Carney's argument concerning transparency as a way to limit shady, black market deals in human body parts. An excellent read: 4.5 stars.

Stars: 4.5