Comments on: Organ market globalism

By: Al Roth

Al Roth — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 18:12:06 +0000

This is an interesting, complicated, and controversial subject alright.

For a variety of blog posts on organ markets and related matters, check out http://marketdesigner.blogspot.com/search/label/compensation%20for%20donors.

For a more general discussion of “repugnant markets,” you might be interested in my paper “Repugnance as a constraint on markets,” at http://kuznets.fas.harvard.edu/~aroth/papers/Repugnance.pdf

By: the Electric Monk» Blog Archive » A game of musical uterus

the Electric Monk» Blog Archive » A game of musical uterus — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:49:13 +0000

[...] to do with the mixing of modern technology and age-old questions of body and ownership (personal organ sales [...]

By: Jue

Jue — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:07:04 +0000

There are two separate issues here, right? You talk about the utilitarian arguments for and against organ markets, as well as Eyal’s moral argument against, but what about a moral argument for organ markets?

For example, what about individual liberty? Eyal is correct to point out that people might find their dignity more valuable than any possible monetary benefit from selling their organs, but what about people who don’t feel this way? To justify restricting the freedom of these people to do as they see fit, there needs to be some societal benefit from the restriction. In other words, how do non-selling members of the public benefit from the restriction of people who otherwise would sell organs? I don’t see how they would be affected either way.

Just for argument’s sake, I’m not talking about the utilitarian issues that usually dominate the policy debate–i.e. potential health problems, abuse and exploitation, etc. I’m asking whether as a matter of principle, we should side with “dignity of the body” or with “freedom to do what you want” with your body. I find the case for enforcing dignity at the cost of freedom somewhat shaky.

By: Ashley Mrva

Ashley Mrva — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:51:50 +0000

This is such an interesting discussion. First off, I would just like to add a potential correction, “On the other side, kidney donation is not a life-threatening procedure”… let’s keep in mind that surgery is a surgery is a surgery and it still can yield complications… including death. BUT, the point you’re trying to make is an extremely valid one… its little cost to our body to save a life. As I think about this, I wonder if I would ever sell an organ. Since I’m a poor college student, I certainly could justify this! At the same time, I would feel guilty because I am accepting payment. I should just give a kidney away to those in need… that’s what Peter Singer would say, right?

Coercion is a HUGE question in terms of selling organs. The case of the 200 or so kidneys that were donated to U Mass wouldn’t be a joke… only it could be someone who is trying to sell the kidneys – of people who maybe didn’t give them away by choice.

All-in-all, this is a slippery slope, of which will always have people fighting for one side or the other.