Transplantation Proceedings
Volume 40, Issue 2, 2008, Pages 491-493

The Market of Human Organs: A Window Into a Poorly Understood Global Business (Article)

Surman O.S.* , Saidi R. , Purtilo R. , Simmerling M. , Ko D. , Burke T.F.
  • a Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, The Transplant Service, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • b The Transplant Service, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • c The Departments of Bioethics, Yale University
  • d Chicago Ethics Consortium (CECT) and the Department of Bioethics, Cornell University
  • e The Transplant Service, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • f The Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital

Abstract

The global demand for human organs has set the stage for an exploding and poorly understood global business in human organs. Whenever there is demand for a product, the opportunity for business arises. The form that a business takes is dependent on a complex network of inputs and outputs, each affecting the others. Historically, the details of any specific market are drastically underestimated. Nowhere is this truer than in the market of human organs. The drivers, which propel the "goods" of human organs, form a flourishing business. Critical analysis is essential to understanding of the supply and demand sides and to determine the role of government in regulating the industry. Governmental groups have dismissed formation of a regulated market for organ sales. The concept is nonetheless a topic of active discussion, motivated by the suffering of patients in need of organs and exploitation of the victims of human trafficking. Ethical principles have been invoked on each side of the ensuing debate. Theory in the absence of sufficient data is shaky ground for enactment of new policy. The Aristotelian concept of "practical wisdom" and the pragmatism of William James illuminate the importance of scientific investigation as guide to policy formation. How will stakeholders benefit or lose? What impact might be anticipated in regard to organized medicine's social contract? What can we learn about cross-cultural differences and their effect on the global landscape? © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

organ transplantation kidney donor health care policy cadaver donor reimbursement social aspect medical ethics priority journal marketing international cooperation organ donor Commerce United States Humans secondary prevention primary prevention victim commercial phenomena Article health care access government regulation
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-40649127017&doi=10.1016%2fj.transproceed.2008.02.019&partnerID=40&md5=9c1a4e52243ba00321eef31941197e61
DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2008.02.019
ISSN: 00411345
Cited by: 8
Original Language: English