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The Case for Legalizing Organ Sales: A Solution to the Transplant Crisis Grand Canyon University Eng - 106-0501: Composition II 2 The Case for Legalizing Organ Sales: A Solution to the Transplant Crisis The shortage of organs for transplantation is a critical public health issue that affects thousands of individuals in dire need. According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), more than 107,000 people were on the waiting list for organ transplants as of 2022, with seventeen people dying each day due to a lack of available organs (OPTN, 2022). The current system of altruistic organ donation is not meeting the rising demand, prompting an ongoing debate about the legalization of organ sales. This essay argues that legalizing the sale of organs could alleviate the transplant crisis, create a regulated market that ensures safety, and provide financial support to donors, all while addressing ethical and public health concerns. The Shortage of Organs The organ transplant waiting list continues to grow, highlighting the inadequacies of the existing donation system. Approximately 39,000 organ transplants were performed in 2021, yet the waiting list has increased by over 10,000 people since 2017 (OPTN, 2021). These statistics reflect a significant imbalance between supply and demand, resulting in long waiting times and high mortality rates for patients on the list. Legalizing organ sales could serve as a solution to
this imbalance, providing a much-needed source of organs and potentially saving thousands of lives each year. Addressing Ethical Concerns: One of the primary objections to legalizing organ sales is the ethical concern regarding exploitation. Critics argue that low-income individuals might feel pressured to sell their organs out of financial desperation (Bhattacharya, 2019). However, a regulated organ sale market could include strict guidelines and ethical oversight to mitigate these risks. Countries like Iran, which established a legal framework in 1988, have established a framework to protect donors and
Implementing a regulated payment system could ensure that individuals receive fair compensation without degrading the value of human life. Global Perspectives on Organ Sales: Several countries have approached the issue of organ sales from varying perspectives, with some even adopting legal frameworks for organ markets. In addition to Iran, other countries, such as Singapore and Israel, have introduced policies to incentivize organ donation without resorting to outright sales. For example, Israel has implemented a priority system for individuals who have agreed to be organ donors, improving donation rates while maintaining ethical standards (Aharoni, 2016). These international examples demonstrate that there is potential for legally regulated organ sales to coexist with ethical considerations. By learning from the successes and challenges faced by these countries, policymakers can craft a system that respects individual autonomy while addressing the urgent need for organ transplants. A Possible Solution to Trafficking: The illegal organ trade thrives in regions where the demand for organs exceeds the supply of available legal donors. This illegal market not only exploits vulnerable populations but also endangers the lives of both donors and recipients through unsafe medical procedures. Legalizing organ sales could serve as a significant deterrent to trafficking by offering individuals a legitimate and safe avenue for organ donation. Research indicates that legalizing organ sales can reduce illegal trafficking significantly, as demonstrated by the decreased rates of such activities in Iran following its legalization (Kahneman, 2021). Creating a legal framework would require collaboration between governments, health organizations, and ethicists to ensure that the system operates transparently, ethically, and effectively. Proactively addressing trafficking and exploitation should be a priority as we consider the implications of organ sales.
The Role of Technology in Ethical Organ Sales: Emerging technologies can play a crucial role in facilitating a legal organ market while addressing ethical concerns. For instance, blockchain technology could be employed to ensure transparency in organ sales, tracking transactions and maintaining donor anonymity (Srinivasan, 2020). This would not only enhance trust in the system but also serve as a deterrent against unethical practices. Simultaneously, medical advancements such as regenerative medicine and 3 D bioprinting hold the promise of reducing the demand for human organs altogether. While these technologies are still in their infancy, they could eventually provide alternatives to traditional transplantation, further alleviating the pressure on organ supply. Counterarguments and Rebuttals: Critics of organ sales raise concerns that such a system might lead to exploitation and increased health disparities. However, by establishing a regulated market, these issues can be addressed effectively. Additionally, some argue that the solution lies in increasing public awareness and support for altruistic donation rather than resorting to commodification. While education and awareness are crucial, they have not significantly increased donation rates over the years. The urgency of the situation demands innovative approaches, including the potential for legal organ sales. Conclusion Considering the ongoing organ transplant crisis, the case for legalizing organ sales becomes increasingly compelling. The statistics reveal a stark reality: Patients waiting for organs face dire consequences, with seventeen dying each day due to the unavailability of organs (OPTN, 2022). The current altruistic donation system falls short, leaving many individuals without hope. Legalizing organ sales could not only save lives but also. create a system built on
References Aharoni, A., et al. (2016). The Influence of presumed consent legislation on waiting times for organ transplants_._ “ Organ Transplantation , 10, (3), p. 305-312. Bhattacharya, J. (2019). Ethical concerns surrounding organ sales: risks of exploitation, Journal of Medical Ethics, 45(7), p. 460-464. Kahneman, D., et al (2021). The impact of legalizing organ markets on illegal trafficking: Evidence from Iran. Health Economics, 30 (12) p. 2795-2804. Michaels, S. (2018). Financial compensation for organ donation: A practical perspective. “ Transplantation Proceedings, 50” (8), p. 2279-2281. Noorbala, A. A. (2017). The Iranian model of kidney transplantation: A success story. “ Transplantation Proceedings, 49” (10), p. 2293-2299. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). (2021). Organ transplantation statistics. Retrieved from {OPTN website} (https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov). Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). (2022). Organ transplantation statistics. Retrieved from {OPTN website} (https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov). Shahrokhi, A. (2020). The ethical implications of organ sale in Iran: An overview. “Bioethics, 34” (3), p. 237-245.
