Ethical Concerns of Organ Sales
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Ethical Concerns of Organ Sales
Riley Arechiga
Colangelo College of Business, Grand Canyon University
ENG-106
Professor Kari Silver
September 14, 2023
Organ sale is the trade involving the inner human organ for organ transplantation and
profit. The problem with the sale of human organs is the widespread illegal trafficking and
the health risks on the donor and the recipient. The buying and selling of organs should be
considered exploitation and a crime, whereas donating them should not. A distinction is
made between justice and fairness. To exploit someone is to take advantage of him or her
unjustly. Exploitation includes, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others
or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to
slavery, servitude or the removal of organs (Bain, C., Mari, J, 2018). Selling organs is a big
problem because it's not fair to make money from something our bodies need to stay
healthy. Imagine if only rich people could afford new organs, while others couldn't. That
wouldn't be right. It's important to find fair ways to help people who need organs without
turning it into a business.
Addressing the Organ Shortage Crisis
There are approximately over 90,000 people in the United States waiting for a kidney.
Every year it's estimated that 9.000 who are waiting either die or are too sick to receive a
transplant. An argument has been made that we should just pay people through regulated
marketing and this would eliminate the kidney shortage. Some say that as this would save
more lives, it would violate the preservation of dignity (NLOM). The global shortage of
organs for transplantation has led to a controversial debate over the legalization of organ
sales. Proponents argue that a regulated organ market could alleviate the scarcity, saving
countless lives. However, this practice raises significant ethical concerns, potentially
commodifying the human body and exploiting vulnerable individuals. This essay will
provide a simplified examination of the arguments surrounding organ sales, considering
both the potential benefits and risks, while also exploring alternative solutions to address the
organ shortage crisis.
The shortage of available organs for transplantation remains a pressing issue in the
healthcare system. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2022), the demand
for organs far exceeds the supply, resulting in thousands of preventable deaths each year
(WHO, 2020). Advocates for legalizing organ sales argue that this low supply could be fixed
through a regulated market, where willing donors could be compensated for their organs. By
providing a financial incentive, it is thought that more individuals would be willing to
donate, in turn increasing the supply and saving lives in the process.
One case involving organ sales that helped someone is the story of Gary Godsey and
Linda Nall. In 2002, Gary was suffering from end-stage renal disease and needed a kidney
transplant to survive. Linda, a friend of Gary's family, selflessly volunteered to donate one
of her kidneys to him. However, due to financial constraints, Linda couldn't afford the
medical expenses associated with the transplant. The community stepped in and rallied
together to support Linda. They organized fundraisers and collected donations, ultimately
raising enough money to cover the costs of the transplant. This case highlighted the power
of compassion and community support in making life-saving organ transplants possible for
those in need. This is one of many stories of organ sales that have benefited and saved a
human life.
The Ethical Concerns
When people sell their organs, it can raise some big ethical questions. Some worry it
might pressure poor or desperate people into giving up their organs for money, even if it's
not the best choice for their health. Others worry about the possibility of rich people taking
advantage of this system to get organs faster, leaving those who can't afford it at a
disadvantage. Trying to balance the need for organs with making sure everyone is treated
fairly and with respect. One of the main ethical concerns surrounding organ sales is the
potential for using the human body as a commodity. Critics argue that allowing organs to be
bought and sold may devalue the sanctity of life and reduce individuals to mere
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commodities (Caplan, 2018). This raises profound questions about the dignity and worth of
human beings, and whether such a practice aligns with our fundamental moral values.
Exploitation
Another critical consideration is the potential for exploitation of vulnerable individuals,
particularly those in socioeconomically disadvantaged circumstances. Legalizing organ sales
could create a situation where individuals, desperate for financial relief, feel compelled to
sell their organs out of necessity (Scheper-Hughes, 2019). This raises questions about
autonomy and consent, as well as the potential for pressure in an organ market. Exploiting
organs refers to the unethical and often illegal act of taking advantage of vulnerable
individuals for their bodily tissues or organs without their informed consent. This can
involve activities like illegal organ trafficking, where organs are forcibly removed from
living or deceased individuals and sold on the black market. These actions are not only
morally reprehensible but also pose serious health risks to the victims, as they often occur in
unsanitary and dangerous conditions.
Next, exploiting organs violates the fundamental rights and dignity of individuals, as it
treats them as commodities rather than as human beings with inherent worth and autonomy
over their own bodies. It is crucial for society to combat and prevent organ exploitation
through strict regulations, public awareness, and support for ethical organ donation
practices. First some may argue that you can live with one kidney, but there is a price to pay
for selling it.
Additionally, There have been people all over the world who have been killed for their
organs. Poverty also drives the organ trafficking problem. People are either desperate for
money so they sell their organs or they are trafficked and their organs taken. People who are
very poor have several disadvantages such as no education, no access to healthcare and
limited resources. They either become the victim or the perpetrator. In Nepal which is one of
the poorest countries in the world a young man recounts his story of how he was taken and
the traffickers performed illegal surgery to remove his kidney and now he suffers from many
health problems (Warsi, Z., 2023). In countries all over the world, people sell their organs to
make profit and sometimes a way to get out of debt.
Alternatives to Organ Sales
While the organ shortage crisis is a significant concern, there are alternative approaches that
can be explored. For instance, initiatives to increase organ donation rates through education
and public awareness campaigns have shown promise in some regions (Delmonico et al.,
2019). Also, the development of technologies such as 3D bioprinting holds potential for
creating synthetic organs, reducing reliance on human donors.Instead of selling organs, there
are other ways to help people in need. Another option is encouraging more people to
become organ donors after they pass away. This means their organs can be used to save lives
without any money involved. Another idea is to improve how organs are allocated, making
sure they go to those who need them most urgently, rather than who can pay the most.
Research into creating artificial organs or finding new ways to treat illnesses can also
provide hope for those waiting for a transplant. These alternatives focus on compassion and
fairness, without putting a price tag on saving lives.
In conclusion, the debate over organ sales is a complex and multifaceted issue with both
potential benefits and significant ethical concerns. While addressing the organ shortage
crisis is of paramount importance, it is essential to approach this dilemma with caution and
consideration for the potential consequences. Striking a balance between saving lives and
preserving the dignity of the human body requires a nuanced and thoughtful approach, one
that considers alternative solutions and takes into account the well-being of all parties
involved.
References
World Health Organization. (2020). Organ donation and transplantation.
https://www.who.int/health-topics/organ-transplantation#tab=tab_1
Caplan, A. L. (2018). Organ sales: Where can we go from here? Journal of Medical Ethics,
44(8), 545-549.
Scheper-Hughes, N. (2019). The tyranny of the gift: Sacrificial violence in living organ donation
in India. Medical Anthropology, 38(8), 713-729.
Delmonico, F. L., et al. (2019). Organ donation and transplantation: A call to action for surgeons.
Annals of Surgery, 270(4), 548-554.
McLachlan, H. V. (2021, July).
Exploitation, criminalization, and pecuniary trade in the organs
of living people
. Journal of bioethical inquiry.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8324612/
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Bain, C., Mari, J., & Delmonico, A. Dr. F. L. (2018, July 31).
Organ trafficking: The unseen
form of human trafficking
. ACAMS Today.
https://www.acamstoday.org/organ-trafficking-the-
unseen-form-of-human-trafficking/
Reese, A., & Pies, I. (2023, February 20).
The morality of kidney sales: When caring for the
seller’s Dignity has moral costs - journal of bioethical inquiry
. SpringerLink.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11673-023-10231-0
Warsi, Z. (2023, January 17).
In Nepal’s “Kidney Valley,” poverty drives an illegal market for
human organs
. PBS.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/wo