“An international market in human organs is not only inevitable but also desirable.” Discuss.
“An international market in human organs is not only inevitable but also desirable.” Discuss.
Over the last few decades the advances made in the fields of surgical technology have led to an increase in the number of people comfortable with having an organ transplant. Every year, thousands of people, from around the world, are being added to the waiting list to receive organs. Even though the number of people willingly to donate their organs has increased due to the constant campaigns made by government and NGO’s but it is not enough to meet the rising demand for human organs. This has created an urge to find an alternative that would make up for this downfall. John Harris and Charles proposed a “strictly regulated and highly ethical market in live donor organs and tissue.”[1] No doubt offering donors compensation in exchange for their organs is such an option but it is heavily fraught with strong moral sentiments. But the question of debate that arises here is; can we afford to reject an approach that would increase the supply of organs or the efficiency in which organs are allocated and transplant without thoughtful consideration?
In USA, according to the National Organ Transplant Act (1984), a person convicted of buying or selling human organs can be fined for as much as $50,000 and five years in prison. [2] Whereas in United Kingdom, according to the Human Tissues Act 2004, it is an offence to offer or buy human organs [3]. In fact, in every country in the world it is illegal to be involved in the organ market except for Iran. In one argument highlighted by Kishore D Phadke, it was said that although the Donor does not gain as much as Recipient or the doctors but at least they have made an “informed decision that would increase their self-esteem, with the clear understanding of the risks and benefits.”[8] It is true that when money comes in this equation, there are going to be many regretful people who would donate their kidney due to lack of education
Over the last few decades the advances made in the fields of surgical technology have led to an increase in the number of people comfortable with having an organ transplant. Every year, thousands of people, from around the world, are being added to the waiting list to receive organs. Even though the number of people willingly to donate their organs has increased due to the constant campaigns made by government and NGO’s but it is not enough to meet the rising demand for human organs. This has created an urge to find an alternative that would make up for this downfall. John Harris and Charles proposed a “strictly regulated and highly ethical market in live donor organs and tissue.”[1] No doubt offering donors compensation in exchange for their organs is such an option but it is heavily fraught with strong moral sentiments. But the question of debate that arises here is; can we afford to reject an approach that would increase the supply of organs or the efficiency in which organs are allocated and transplant without thoughtful consideration?
In USA, according to the National Organ Transplant Act (1984), a person convicted of buying or selling human organs can be fined for as much as $50,000 and five years in prison. [2] Whereas in United Kingdom, according to the Human Tissues Act 2004, it is an offence to offer or buy human organs [3]. In fact, in every country in the world it is illegal to be involved in the organ market except for Iran. In one argument highlighted by Kishore D Phadke, it was said that although the Donor does not gain as much as Recipient or the doctors but at least they have made an “informed decision that would increase their self-esteem, with the clear understanding of the risks and benefits.”[8] It is true that when money comes in this equation, there are going to be many regretful people who would donate their kidney due to lack of education
Bibliography: 14. “An ethically defensible market in organs - A single buyer like the NHS is an answer.” –Written by Charles A Erin and John Harris ; BMJ. 2002 July 20; 325(7356): 114–115. 18. “Ethical Incentives- Not Payment- For Organ Donation” From the New England Journal of medicine; June 20, 2002 http://elsa.berkeley.edu/users/webfac/held/delmonico.pdf 19. Pope John Paul II Evangelium Vitae. Encyclical Letter on the value and inviolability of human life, March 25, 1995. 20. “Selling organs should be legal.” – written by Berman R. (From the Orthodox Jewish Halachic Organ Donor Society); Jerusalem Post; August 9, 2005.