The ethical implications of the country’s first penis transplant

Earlier this month, Massachusetts General Hospital performed the country’s first penis transplant on Thomas Manning, a 64-year-old man who had suffered from penile cancer.

This transplant comes on the heels of the country’s first uterus transplant, which failed, back in February. These new surgeries bring up a host of ethical issues — are they worth the risks, if they improve one’s quality of life? 

Plus, will people be less likely to sign up to be organ donors if part of that donation could mean donating their penis, uterus, or even their face? 

We put these questions to Art Caplan, a medical ethicist from NYU. 

Listen to the interview above.