Dr. Paavas Sharma holds a Bachelor's degree in Dental Surgery from Manipal Academy of Higher Education. In her journey, she has garnered numerous accolades for her creative writing. Proficient in both English and Hindi, she particularly enjoys delving into topics related to sexual and dental health and possesses experience in writing about oncology. Dr. Paavas has 3 years of professional writing experience and was also involved in editorial teams for magazines since her school and college days. Apart from writing she consistently seeks opportunities for personal expression and enjoyment, whether it's cooking, Netflix sessions or indulging in crafts.
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information became available.
Updated on 2nd June 2025
"The following blog article provides general information and insights on various topics. However, it is important to note that the information presented is not intended as professional advice in any specific field or area. The content of this blog is for general educational and informational purposes only.
Book consultation
The content should not be interpreted as endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of any product, service, or information mentioned. Readers are solely responsible for the decisions and actions they take based on the information provided in this blog. It is essential to exercise individual judgment, critical thinking, and personal responsibility when applying or implementing any information or suggestions discussed in the blog."
Yes, hospitals can and do sell foreskin—but not in the way most people might imagine. When a baby is circumcised, the removed foreskin is often considered medical waste. But in some cases, that tiny piece of skin ends up being sold—not to random buyers, but to biotech and cosmetic companies that use it in medical research, skin care, and drug testing. And no, parents aren’t usually told or paid for this.
Let’s break this down in a way that’s easy to understand.
It sounds strange, but baby foreskin is actually super valuable in the world of science. Why? Because it’s full of something called fibroblasts—special skin cells that help grow new skin. One piece of foreskin can be used to grow square meters of skin in labs. That’s why it’s used in:
Think of it like this: scientists can take a few cells from a foreskin, multiply them thousands of times, and use them for all sorts of medical and beauty purposes. It’s like having a tiny factory for skin cells.[1]
Here’s where things get complicated.
Hospitals themselves might not directly list “foreskin” as an item for sale. But some hospitals partner with biotech companies, who buy the tissue, process it, and then sell it for big bucks. A single foreskin can be worth thousands to millions of dollars once it’s turned into medical-grade materials or used in products.
For example:
That’s right. What’s considered trash after a circumcision can actually be biotech treasure.
Usually not.
When a baby is circumcised, parents give consent for the procedure, but they’re rarely told what will happen to the removed tissue. In most countries, there’s no legal requirement to inform parents that the foreskin might be sold or used in research.
24x7 AI backed chatbot for all your sexual health related queries
In fact, in places like the U.S., Australia, and the U.K., the laws allow companies to sell products made from human tissue, even though the direct sale of raw tissue might be restricted. This creates a kind of legal loophole: hospitals can give or sell the foreskin to companies, and the companies can turn it into a product and make money.[2]
Yes, as long as the product made from foreskin meets certain safety and processing rules set by the FDA. The rules are mostly about preventing disease transmission and ensuring product safety—not about where the tissue came from or whether the donor agreed.
Under the Human Tissue Act, consent is legally required to store, use, or process human tissue. Selling tissue for money without the proper approvals is illegal—but again, once the tissue is turned into a “product,” the rules become less strict.
The Human Tissue Act says human tissue can’t be sold—but processed products from it can be. Parents or babies don’t get any of that money.
Here’s what happens after the foreskin is removed:
That’s the big question.
Many people—especially bioethicists and anti-circumcision advocates—argue that:
This raises serious issues around medical consent, autonomy, and profit-sharing.[3]
Some doctors and ethicists suggest that hospitals and companies should either:
Not all foreskins end up in a lab or beauty cream.
In many hospitals, especially in countries like India, the foreskin is treated as biomedical waste. It’s:
So, if a foreskin isn’t sold or used, it’s destroyed like other medical waste.
Not really.
Once people find out about the foreskin trade, many feel uncomfortable—especially if they were never told about it. It’s not just about the money—it’s also about transparency, choice, and respect for the body.[5]
There’s also concern that:
Yes—and experts are pushing for them.
The goal is to get the benefits of foreskin-derived materials without the ethical mess.
So, do hospitals sell foreskin?
Yes—but it’s complicated.
The real problem isn’t that foreskin is useful—because it clearly is. The issue is that people aren’t being informed, and profits are being made without proper transparency or permission.
If we want to use human tissue to save lives and improve health, we also need to make sure that consent, fairness, and respect come first.
