Paid Organ Transplant Essay Example
Paid Organ Transplant Essay Example

Paid Organ Transplant Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (951 words)
  • Published: August 25, 2021
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According to Gary S., in 2012, there was a waiting list of 95,000 Americans, including individuals of all genders and ages, who were in need of new kidneys. Kidneys are the most commonly transplanted organs. However, only approximately 16,500 kidney transplant surgeries took place during that year.

According to Becker and Julio J. Elias (Becker and Elias 222), the issue of people dying regularly may not seem significant at first. However, for those who anxiously await a ray of hope and their family members who helplessly witness their struggle, it is a major concern. The knowledge that there are individuals willing to donate their kidneys in exchange for money brings joy to transplant patients. This means that their chances of receiving a transplant have increased, even if only slightly.

Regardless of the task at hand, people always need motivation. Therefore, it is unj

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ustifiable to question whether money can serve as a motivating factor. Society should not view individuals who choose to exchange their kidneys for monetary compensation in a negative light. It is widely known that humans can survive with only one functioning kidney, despite having two initially. However, this does not guarantee that individuals will always be willing to donate their kidneys without any form of compensation, particularly if they have no personal connection or benefit from the recipient. By introducing money into the equation, both the donor and recipient of the transplant would experience satisfaction. If donating a kidney voluntarily or due to familial ties is deemed ethical, then donating a kidney for financial reasons should also be considered morally acceptable.

Eric Posner proposes that the introduction of paid kidney donations could address the scarcity of

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available kidneys for transplantation and decrease fatalities resulting from kidney failure. Posner argues that allowing individuals to sell their kidneys is a viable approach to incentivize greater donation rates. The provision of compensation has the potential to bolster people's readiness to donate their kidneys. Recognizing these donors' actions as ethical, notwithstanding their financial motivation, is imperative since they ultimately preserve lives.

During my sister's childhood, she suffered from a severe illness that weakened her kidneys. Unfortunately, neither of our parents had compatible kidneys for transplantation, and I was too young to be a potential donor. However, one of my father's colleagues offered to donate one of his kidneys in exchange for compensation, and my father willingly accepted the offer. At that time, our family's main priority was ensuring my sister's survival regardless of the cost. We did not consider the act of saving her life as morally wrong simply because money was involved. The fact remains that she is alive today thanks to him, something we are truly grateful for. Furthermore, these patients who need kidney transplants often endure long hospital stays while waiting for a suitable donor.

It suggests that people incur medical expenses throughout their lives, and if they die, their relatives would have to bear those costs. If society finds it acceptable to impose charges for sick individuals, there should be no objection to an extra cost for a crucial kidney. This is particularly true if the kidney guarantees their survival and enables them to be discharged from the hospital sooner. In life, we exchange nearly everything for money – our well-being, our attire, and even our residences. These are basic necessities for ordinary

individuals, just like kidneys are for patients in need of transplantation.

Therefore, if it is morally acceptable to spend all your savings on a home, then it should also be acceptable to spend money on acquiring a kidney. Some argue that offering money as an incentive for kidney donation is morally wrong because it can pressure individuals into making decisions they wouldn't otherwise make. In their article, Robyn S. Shapiro discusses this issue and states that consent for kidney donation under the influence of monetary rewards is not truly autonomous (Shapiro 20). However, I believe that individuals capable of deciding to donate their kidneys are also capable of handling the consequences. Money should not be associated with people's incompetence. If you have doubts or are unsure about the potential risks, it is best not to proceed with the donation.

If you believe that you truly need money and the only way to obtain it is by donating a kidney, then go ahead with your decision. Instead of focusing on the kidney you are giving away, concentrate on the money you will earn. Although some argue that paid kidney donations are unethical because the money can influence your decision, it's likely that you were already inclined towards that choice and the financial incentive just pushed you further. Despite disagreement from others, I personally believe there is nothing morally wrong or unethical about individuals willingly choosing to donate their kidneys in exchange for compensation in order to save lives. Rather than dwelling on the method of organ donation, we should appreciate that these donations will lead to more lives being saved.

Works Cited

  1. Shapiro, Robyn S. 'Legal Issues in

Payment of Living Donors for Solid Kidneys.' Human Rights, Spring 2003, pp. 19-20. Academic Search Complete. Accessed 16 Apr. 2017.

  • Posner, Eric. 'A Moral Market.' The St.
  • Martin's Guide to Writing, 11th edition, edited by Rise B. Axelrod and Charles R. Cooper, was published in 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin's. It spans from page 302 to 305. Additionally, the book features a contribution from Becker, Gary S., and Julio J.

    Elias argues in favor of establishing a market for kidneys. In the book "The St. Martin's Guide to Writing," edited by Rise B. Axelrod and Charles R. Cooper, the author presents a case for exchanging cash for kidneys.

    According to Martin's (2016), the information can be found on pages 222-25.

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