Student: Patrick Frost
Instructor: Professor Edwin Martinez del Rio
Business Ethics 309
October 21, 2013
Strayer University
COMMERCIALIZATION OF ORGAN TRANSPLANTS
Arguments in favor of organ commercialization
Commercialization of human organs from consenting adults will lead to an increase in the supply of organs needed for transplants (Kanniyakonil, 2005). The major challenge in hospitals is the lack of organs needed for transplantation to the increasing number of patients. Currently, organs are only accepted from victims of altruism suicide and this does not cover the medical needs throughout the world. Thus, by commercializing organs for transplants, the number of organ will increase and it will be for a good cause of saving human lives.
Another reason is that in some cases, family members are compelled to donate organs for their loved ones even if they are not willing to donate. In paid donations, the donors are not compelled to donate their organs and so their consent is free. Some people requiring organ transplants may not have relatives and friends who are either not willing to donate or are organ incompatible. With paid donations, the patients can access the required organs which may end up in saving their lives.
Arguments against commercialization of organ transplant
Commercialization of organ transplant can lead to health risks to the donor. People who are not fit to donate may offer to donate their organ for the monetary gains. This can result even in the death of the donor. Commercialization of organs may lead to loss of integrity and ethics in the society. People who are mentally unstable may be coerced to donate their organs. The rate of crime will also rise in the society. People will start killing each other so as to obtain the organs (Kanniyakonil, 2005). Commercialization of organs may lead to extortion of patients. This is in the case where an increase in the demand of a given
References: Andre, C & Velasquez, M. (2010). Kidneys for Sale. Santa Clara University. http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/iie/v1n2/kidneys.html Kanniyakonil, S. (2005). Living organ donation and transplantation: A medical, legal, and moral theological appraisal. Kottayam: Oriental Institute of Religious Studies India.