Sale of Organs
Introduction: The staggering cost of treating a patient waiting on the transplant list is astounding. Most Americans do not realize the extreme cost involved in care of these patients. Legalizing the sale of human organs is a more effective practice in comparison to recent alternatives presented to increase the amount of organs donated.
Since 1984, the buying and selling of human organs has been illegal in the United States. This prohibition on organ markets is very controversial. Deciding whether or not to legalize the sale of organs has been a huge topic plaguing the medical world for a very long time. Determining if the legalization would be ethical or effective are the major parts involved in making this decision. What are the benefits of organ selling and should it be made legal?
Many people are dying each day because of the lack of organs available. While there may seem to be a shortage of kidneys, in reality there is a surplus. In third world countries, there are people willing to do anything for money. In such extreme poverty these people barely have enough to eat, living in shacks and sleeping on dirt floors. Eager to pay off debts, they line up at hospitals, willing to sell a kidney for about $1000. The money will go towards food and clothing, or perhaps to pay for a family member’s medical operation. Whatever the case, these people need the money. With waiting lists being as long as 106,000 people, an average 17 patients in need of transplants, die each day. About 350,000 Americans suffer from end-stage renal disease, a state of kidney disorder so advanced that the organ stops functioning altogether. There are no miracle drugs that can revive a failed kidney, leaving dialysis or kidney transplantation as the only possible treatments. By legalizing organ selling lives would be saved.
Dialysis is harsh, expensive, and, most importantly it is only temporary. Acting as an artificial kidney, dialysis mechanically filters the blood of a patient. It works,
Since 1984, the buying and selling of human organs has been illegal in the United States. This prohibition on organ markets is very controversial. Deciding whether or not to legalize the sale of organs has been a huge topic plaguing the medical world for a very long time. Determining if the legalization would be ethical or effective are the major parts involved in making this decision. What are the benefits of organ selling and should it be made legal?
Many people are dying each day because of the lack of organs available. While there may seem to be a shortage of kidneys, in reality there is a surplus. In third world countries, there are people willing to do anything for money. In such extreme poverty these people barely have enough to eat, living in shacks and sleeping on dirt floors. Eager to pay off debts, they line up at hospitals, willing to sell a kidney for about $1000. The money will go towards food and clothing, or perhaps to pay for a family member’s medical operation. Whatever the case, these people need the money. With waiting lists being as long as 106,000 people, an average 17 patients in need of transplants, die each day. About 350,000 Americans suffer from end-stage renal disease, a state of kidney disorder so advanced that the organ stops functioning altogether. There are no miracle drugs that can revive a failed kidney, leaving dialysis or kidney transplantation as the only possible treatments. By legalizing organ selling lives would be saved.
Dialysis is harsh, expensive, and, most importantly it is only temporary. Acting as an artificial kidney, dialysis mechanically filters the blood of a patient. It works,