Organ Market Debate

As the gap between supply and demand for transplantable organs widens, the suggestion for legislation allowing an organ market becomes more popular. However, this proposal has been condemned by many as an unethical practice that allows the body to be devalued and seen solely as a commodity that is composed of marketable parts. In his article, “No such thing as ethical organ market”, Alastair V. Campbell explores the principles that drive the ban on organ trading and challenges the prospect of a live organ market due to its effect on human integrity, equality, and value.
Campbell makes a very structured argument about the moral and ethical implications of a legal organ market. Throughout his discussion, he highlights the issues of human integrity, ethics, and the division of social classes. By breaking down his argument in this manner, he consistently displays his view that payment for organ donation is an unethical practice that must be addressed. Campbell emphasizes the idea that in an
This fact raises questions as to whether a large class divide will emerge where the poor populations are the vendors and the rich populations are the buyers. Campbell touches upon the idea that an open market would widen the social gap between the less fortunate and the wealthy, making inequality a more prevalent issue in our already greatly divided world. In addition to this, he mentions the possibilities that the trade will likely attract people that have “marginal organs”, that vendors might not be able to afford care after the procedure, and that in the long run these poor individuals could need an organ transplant themselves. While it may be true that many disadvantaged citizens would sell to a rich patient, Campbell ignores the opposing view that this may merely be a reflection of the existing inequalities in our