Enjoy this episode from Cautionary Tales. In 1827, Edinburgh, Scotland was a world centre for anatomical study, but there was a shortage of cadavers for medical students to dissect. Two men, William Burke and William Hare, spotted a grim business opportunity. They began sourcing bodies - by any means possible...

Host Tim Harford's hair-raising story explores a question: what makes some markets acceptable, and others repugnant?

If you enjoy it, find Cautionary Tales wherever you listen to podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.