ISSN Print: 2151-805X
ISSN Online: 2151-8068
Paying Kidney Donors: Cost Efficient, Increase Kidney Supply and Protect the Poor
ABSTRACT
The large gap between organ supply and demand contributes to illegal organ trade on the black market. Kidney waiting lines are expected to expand even more because of increased longevity, diabetes and hypertension; therefore, people will be left desperate as they realize their chances of receiving a kidney transplant is low. Despite the illegal organ trade laws, kidneys are still being removed by force and without consent. Illegal organ trade laws drive the organ market underground instead of preventing it. The wealthy patients with deteriorating kidneys are able to skip the organ waiting lines in their home country and travel elsewhere to have illegal organ transplant operations. Meanwhile, they often become victims of unsafe medical practice and receive organs of unknown origin. The poor keep supplying organs because other form of income is unavailable in their countries, and they usually have hungry families to feed. However, by selling their organs illegally, they face the danger of being cheated out of receiving any profit. Legalizing organ trade will diminish the gap between organ supply and demand as well as ensure that safe and standard medical practices are followed. Those on waiting lists would be able to receive a kidney and not undergo painful and expensive dialysis procedures; meanwhile, organ donors would receive the income they need to survive. Paid kidney transplantation proved to be beneficial in Iran; it was able to drastically decrease kidney waiting lists and protect organ donors. Organ donors directly received financial compensation as well as medical care after the operation to monitor their recovery. This paper will examine the flaws of the current illegal organ trade policies as well demonstrate how legalizing financial compensation for organ donors would be beneficial for both the wealthy and the poor.