Nancy Scheper-Hughes

The body is not merely a biological entity; it is a social and political text, inscribed with power relations and cultural meanings.

Anthropology is not just about understanding the 'other'; it's about understanding ourselves through the lens of the 'other.'

Suffering is not a universal language; it is deeply cultural, shaped by history, power, and local meanings.

The moral imperative of anthropology is to bear witness, to give voice to the voiceless, and to challenge injustice.

Organ trafficking is the ultimate commodification of the human body, reducing persons to their parts.

The 'culture of no culture' is a dangerous fiction, often used to justify neglect and violence.

Empathy is not enough; we need an 'engaged anthropology' that actively intervenes in the world.

The 'good mother' is a cultural construct, not a biological given.

Violence is not an aberration; it is often deeply embedded in the fabric of everyday life.

The anthropologist's gaze is never neutral; it is always implicated in power relations.

We must resist the temptation to romanticize poverty or to pathologize the poor.

The human body is a contested terrain, a site of both individual experience and social control.

To understand suffering, we must listen to the stories of those who suffer, not just analyze statistics.

The global organ trade thrives on desperation and inequality.

Anthropology should be a tool for liberation, not just observation.

The 'culture of silence' is a powerful mechanism of oppression.

The boundaries between life and death, health and illness, are culturally constructed and constantly shifting.

We must challenge the medicalization of social problems.

The 'gift of life' in organ donation can be deeply problematic when it involves exploitation.

Anthropology is a moral science, and its practitioners have a moral responsibility.