Kidney Donation Ethics

The commercialization of human body parts has been, over time, on the upward trend. Kidney failure being relatively on the rise, more and more people have a need and desire to boost their lives by kidney transplants. Since the human body can function effectively with one kidney, some people do not mind donating their kidneys for some consideration. However, does this not break the ethics code? Is it not reducing human dignity to monetary terms by placing a price tag on human body part? As the essay questions the morality and the ethics of this practice, the idea of black market kidney donations arise which is evidence of clear commercialization of the human life and exploitation of the poor.

In a paper published in 1988 by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics addressing the ethical and moral issues in kidney transplant, the paper addressed moral concerns about a possible concern about a potential and highly possible market for human body part. Before long, the paper had its undesired effect. Schulman notes that “Many people sent emails inquiring on how they would donate their kidneys. I would like more information about it and how I could sell one of my kidneys to your university because I really need money.” They had ranging reasons as to why they wished to donate their kidneys. Some wanted to use the

money gained from the sale to finance their college education which is very dear. This shows the effect that this market may have on the poor population. They are forced out of circumstances to trade on their body parts not on good-will but because of financial constraints.
The insufficiency of organs for transport cannot be underscored.

Just to enumerate a few facts about the dire need for kidneys, a look at the United States might cast a clear picture. As of March 6, the people who were on a waiting list for an organ transplant stood at 113, 143 with the majority waiting for a kidney transplant, 91, 015. In addition, in the year 2011, the US witnessed about 15,417 kidney transplants of which a significant 5,232 was from living donors. One of the critical questions should ask him or herself is, did this people voluntarily and without any undue economic coercion agree to donate their kidney? The answer is probably in the

negative.
The shortage of kidneys for transplant has steered the world to the wrong end. Both municipal and international law are being violated for the sake of saving a life. A good example of violation of international law principles was witnessed in China where a 17 year old, a minor for that matter, donated his kidney.
How on earth can a minor give consent as to such a life threatening operation? The teenager is currently suffering from a renal deficiency condition. To make matters worse, the teenager did this sale in order to fund himself to buy an iPhone. Was it worth it? The love for material gain has canvassed the need to keep the body healthy. The young boy, in an endeavor to own an iPhone, trades his body to finance the purchase of an earthly commodity. So sad!
It is reported that the black market for human body part is real (Singer).
Otherwise, assuming that such a market would not exist would be absolute insanity. With such a high demand of the product in the market and the economic inability of several people, it is highly likely. However, such poor people are usually ignorant on the proper channels of donating kidneys. Therefore, at the prospect donating one for a slight consideration from agents, $5000 is usually a tall order for them.
They end up donating their kidneys for money. It is saddening to learn that such agents are paid as high as $150,000 by the recipient. The bulk of this finances end up in the pockets on unscrupulous agents who are in breach of the law and morality in this matter.
“Most of the benefit from organ sales goes to middlemen.  Havocscope, which monitors black markets, found last May that the average reported amount paid to kidney donors was $5,000, while the average price paid by recipients was $150,000. "The real injustice to the poor is they are getting so little, while those who are involved in these illegal sales are getting all the money," says Rev. Brendan McGuire, vicar general of the Diocese of San Jose.” (Schulman 1)
As many scholars and critical thinkers would have it, the trade of organ donation should be organized and legalized. Mass emancipation should be conducted. Though safe, the health hazards of kidney transplants cannot be over-estimated. This is potentially a life threatening operation which has witnessed several cases of unscrupulous agents defrauding the donors of the money earned from the sale of the part. In fact, the agents who suffer no health hazard pocket as much as 95% of the returns.
In addition, instead of conducting such sale commercially, those who are willing to be donors should be given non-monetary benefits such as life insurance covers and funeral expenses at their death. Or in other instances, those who are willing to donated kidneys should ordinarily be given a priority in kidney transplant over others. Those unwilling to donate should be implanted kidneys in case there is a surplus. In this way, commercialization of the kidney would be more of life saving than commercial.