Organ Donation Gift of Life Term Paper

Concern also focused on the imbalance of the trade because the market is for only those who can afford, therefore only gives chance for the well-off. The black market has been referred to as the transplant trade outside of the United States. Legalization of the international organ trade would lead to increased supply, lowering prices. Therefore the poor might be able to afford such organs as well.

Bioethics is also concerned in issues of exploitation of the donor. Exploitation arguments generally come from two main areas, physical and financial exploitation. Physical exploitation argues that the operations are risky and they take place in third-world countries or what they say "black alleys" which adds to the risk. Although operations can be made safe, still there remains some threat and risk for the donor. Financial exploitation on the other hand says that donors are not paid enough, especially those from the Indian subcontinent and Africa. This argument assumes that there exists some financial amount that does indeed constitute what is enough and the high prices and profits may be partly attributed to the black-market status of the transaction. 1

Certain criterions in bioethics must be fulfilled in order for an organ donation to be morally right. First, there should really be a serious need on the part of the recipient that cannot be fulfilled in any other way. Secondly, the functional integrity of the donor as a human person will not be impaired even though anatomical integrity may suffer. Another criterion is that motive for donating is CHARITY and there should only be limited harm to the donor. Also, the donor's consent must be free and informed. Lastly, the recipients for the scarce organs are selected justly. Therefore there is a need for a policy, need to determine "just selection," and wealth should not be a basis who receives an organ.

It seems simple enough: Donate organs. Save lives, but many are still hesitant and have been blinded by myths. More than 95,000 people are on the U.S. organ transplant waiting list, waiting to be saved. Almost 6,000 people died waiting for an organ transplant in 2006, 16 people a day. 4

Therefore, what would you do if you are given the chance to save a life? Like the story of 9-year-old Tiffany, through the help of Ms. Atkinson, another person's life might be in your hands.

Bibliography

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_donation#Bioethical_issues_in_organ_donation

2. Richard Perez-Pena. "Turning the Grief-Stricken Toward Organ Donation." NY Times (the Metro Section) pg B1. Jan 16, 2007

3. Robert D. Truog, M.D. The Ethics of Organ Donation by Living Donors. The New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 353:444-446. August 4, 2005. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organ-donation.Mayoclinic Staff. Organ donation: Don't let myths stand in your way. April 4, 2007.