Human Organ Donation Opinion Paper
Ethical Opinion on
“The Richard M. De Vos Position Paper on Financial Incentives for Organ Donation”
Dr. Samuel Gregg
Acton Institute
April 17, 2003*
*Copyright 2002 © by Samuel Gregg. For permission to cite, reproduce or circulate this paper, please contact the author at sgregg@acton.org, or Acton Institute, 161 Ottawa Ave NW, Suite 301, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA. Ph. 1-616-454-3080
SITUATION
1. The progress and spread of transplant medicine and surgery nowadays makes possible treatment and cure for many illnesses which, up to a short time ago, could only lead to death or, at best, a painful and limited existence. This “service to life,”[1] which the donation and transplant of organs represents, shows its moral value and legitimizes its medical practice. There are, however, some conditions which must be observed, particularly those regarding donors and the organs donated and implanted. Every organ or human tissue transplant requires an explant which in some way impairs the corporeal integrity of the donor.
2. The present shortage of available organs for transplant has resulted in a number of propositions for improving the situation so as to preserve the life of those in danger of imminent death, and/or to improve the health of those who are suffering from various aliments. These propositions range from state-funding of more Organ Donation coordinators, to the establishment of a free market in organs.
3. Not all options, however, are morally acceptable. Moreover, every option must be subject to clear, coherent and rationally defensible ethical analysis. The approach used in this opinion is that of the authoritative moral teaching of the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church and the natural law tradition (specifically that articulated by the Magisterium). It does so on the basis that (a) all other approaches that purport to be based on reason alone are essentially deficient and ultimately incoherent; and
“The Richard M. De Vos Position Paper on Financial Incentives for Organ Donation”
Dr. Samuel Gregg
Acton Institute
April 17, 2003*
*Copyright 2002 © by Samuel Gregg. For permission to cite, reproduce or circulate this paper, please contact the author at sgregg@acton.org, or Acton Institute, 161 Ottawa Ave NW, Suite 301, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA. Ph. 1-616-454-3080
SITUATION
1. The progress and spread of transplant medicine and surgery nowadays makes possible treatment and cure for many illnesses which, up to a short time ago, could only lead to death or, at best, a painful and limited existence. This “service to life,”[1] which the donation and transplant of organs represents, shows its moral value and legitimizes its medical practice. There are, however, some conditions which must be observed, particularly those regarding donors and the organs donated and implanted. Every organ or human tissue transplant requires an explant which in some way impairs the corporeal integrity of the donor.
2. The present shortage of available organs for transplant has resulted in a number of propositions for improving the situation so as to preserve the life of those in danger of imminent death, and/or to improve the health of those who are suffering from various aliments. These propositions range from state-funding of more Organ Donation coordinators, to the establishment of a free market in organs.
3. Not all options, however, are morally acceptable. Moreover, every option must be subject to clear, coherent and rationally defensible ethical analysis. The approach used in this opinion is that of the authoritative moral teaching of the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church and the natural law tradition (specifically that articulated by the Magisterium). It does so on the basis that (a) all other approaches that purport to be based on reason alone are essentially deficient and ultimately incoherent; and