Organ Sales Essay Example

the "sale of tissue claim." If individuals can safely donate an organ as per medical standards, they should also be allowed to sell that same organ. If we are against selling kidneys due to the potential risks and dangers, then we should also be against unpaid kidney donations, as compensation does not increase the associated peril. Nonetheless, we do not oppose unpaid kidney donations because the risks are minimal and justifiable in order to save lives. Additionally, if plasma, blood, eggs, and sperm are legally permitted to be sold, then selling kidneys should also be deemed acceptable. The financial incentive does not necessarily have to be provided in cash.

The donated organ can be provided as a deposit in the donor’s health savings account, retirement account, or donated to their favorite charity. People in the United States are more willing to sell organs when they understand the advantages, such as the fulfillment of saving a life or greatly enhancing another person's life, as well as receiving a financial reward. Additional benefits of living donor organ donation include the recipient's ability to live without dialysis, healthcare professionals being compensated and confirmed in their roles, and transplant programs attracting more customers and enhancing their standing.

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, offering monetary incentives to donors would assist in offsetting medical costs not covered by either the recipient's or donor's insurance. These expenses consist of transportation, lodging, long distance calls, childcare, and lost wages. Generally, a transplant recipient's insurance will cover the donor's evaluation, surgery, and a limited number of subsequent tests and appointments. Nonetheless, these reimbursements may not completely encompass all expenses borne by

both insurance companies involved. Moreover, certain donors encounter challenges in securing and upholding insurance coverage which could lead to elevated premiums.

According to Savulescu, laws have granted patients the freedom to make choices about their bodies. It is crucial to honor individuals' decisions, such as selling organs or kidneys, as long as no harm is inflicted. Nonetheless, it should be acknowledged that being a donor may be regarded as a pre-existing condition if an uninsured person seeks insurance later on.

In the 1980s, Iran faced a shortage of legally donated kidneys and medical equipment for treating end-stage renal disease. To address this issue, Iran took a unique approach by legalizing the sale of kidneys from living donors (Futurism: Black Market Bodies). This move has made Iran one of the few countries without an organ shortage. Currently, living donors contribute about 55% of all kidney donations in Iran, whereas in the United States, only 38% of kidney donations come from living donors.

According to the text, 62% of organs used for donation in the United States come from deceased donors. Some people believe that using organs from live donors would be better because cadaver organs may not meet the growing demand and may not support long-term health. It is seen as morally unacceptable to give a cadaver organ to someone in desperate need if medical professionals know it may not work well over time. Keeping a cadaver organ healthy inside the recipient's body could lead to stress due to frequent doctor visits needed to monitor its function.

One advantage of a living person donating their organs to a procurement program is that it allows for contributions to organ and tissue

research. This research aims to identify any diseases associated with the donated organ, and the donor's voluntary contribution towards this research should entitle them to financial compensation. By dedicating their time and body to help scientists in their search for abnormal or dangerous cells within other individuals' bodies, they deserve monetary recognition.

Opponents argue against financially compensating living donors, claiming that it exploits the poor through the black market. However, I disagree by asserting that banning financial compensation based on black market practices does not hold up. Engaging in the black market is a personal choice, similar to low-income individuals enlisting in the military. Therefore, selling organs by low-income individuals shouldn't be seen differently from other choices made by those with limited resources.

Published articles on black market kidney donations do not provide sufficient justification for rejecting payment for kidneys as there are significant differences between international black markets and legal domestic programs. A legal kidney transplant takes place in a secure medical facility.

The objective of screening is to identify suitable kidney donors and minimize the risks associated with transplantation, while follow-up care aims to ensure the well-being of these donors. In contrast, in illegal organ trading, organ donors are quickly released without considering their post-surgical health. In a legitimate procurement program, equal attention is given to both organ donors and recipients. To address concerns about cost and safety in unauthorized kidney sales, our focus should be on establishing fair pricing and maximizing donor safety. These measures would help decrease reliance on the black market for organ transactions. It is important to note that individuals who choose the black market do so willingly and are not coerced

or physically threatened.

When individuals are desperate, they may turn to the black market for various reasons such as paying off debts or fulfilling crucial needs like food, housing, and healthcare. This choice is often preferred by unemployed individuals who face difficulties in finding jobs. They receive cash payments without reporting them to tax authorities. As a result, people with low incomes might decide to sell organs just as they can opt to join the military in the United States.

Just as individuals from low-income backgrounds willingly enlist in the military, fully aware of the risks and uncertainties involved, they make this sacrifice for the freedom of others. If society accepts voluntary military service despite the impending danger, it should also accept informed decisions by individuals to sell their body parts for the benefit of organ recipients. To encourage live organ donation, procurement programs should offer financial compensation. By providing monetary rewards for donations, more people would be motivated to donate organs to those in need, ultimately decreasing the demand for illegal organ sales on the black market or relying solely on deceased donor organs for transplants.

Ultimately, individuals should have the freedom to decide if they wish to take part in procurement programs for selling their organs. If organ donors can receive financial compensation while helping reduce the number of people needing organs in the United States, they should be appropriately rewarded for their efforts and time.