Why would offering a small financial incentive to increase organ donation be unethical?

Question

Please be specific using the principles of ethics.

Answer 1

I traveled to Israel in January to take a course on this subject. Although I don't personally think it would be unethical, the arguments against such a system would sound something like this.

Utilitarian: The demand for organs far outweighs the supply - even in those countries with a unified organ donation system (UNOS in the U.S.). Thus, there is a growing concern that providing financial incentives may create a black market in organ sharing. Such a small monetary incentive may induce impoverished persons to donate non-vital organs in order to make ends meet; however, the people who can afford the organs are often well-off. Thus, there's is a huge inequity in terms of "balancing the bargain." In this situation, many contend that those who can afford to buy the organs would be exploiting those who donate the organs.

Additionally, there is an autonomy argument: if one is so induced by financial incentives to donate an organ (vital or non-vital), are they really acting of their own free will? Some would argue that they're not. Organ donation requires a tremendous amount of informed consent, and one is expected to fully understand the consequences of their donation. If one were motivated by financial incentives, rather than pure altruism, his or her decision may not be entirely autonomous.

Although much more could be written about the topic (I drafted a 20 page paper on organ donation among death row inmates), those are the primary arguments.

Answer 2

Because some people would sign up for it when they have no intention of following through. Or some who, for one reason or another, cannot donate. For example, I cannot be an organ and/or blood donor because I have multiple sclerosis. The cause of MS is not known, so no one knows if the disease could be passed on by using an organ from someone with MS. I agree with that because I would hate to be the cause of someone else getting MS.

Answer 3

You open the door for UN-ethical people to sell body parts. maybe ! But I think to help family's with the costs of death of a family member sound OK. There are allot of people without ethics. Not sure what "principles of ethics" is about I just know right and wrong.

Answer 4

Families and doctors would be more likely to harvest the organs than heal the sick person. Money has a way of affecting people in weird ways.

Answer 5

Because bribery is illegal.