Cash for kidneys
The ethical implications of buying and selling organs
Richard Thaler writes in Sunday’s New York Times about the shortage of organ donors in the U.S. Though Thaler mentions that some economists advocate “a market allowing the buying and selling of organs,” he dismisses the idea as unrealistic. Politicians and the public, he says, would never support such a proposal. Thaler may be right that buying and selling organs is “a political nonstarter,” but would a system be defensible—even desirable?
The growth of privacy rights during the second half of the 20th century established fairly firm personal control over one’s own body. If I own my body like property, why can’t I sell my kidney or liver, much as I could sell my house or car?
This line of reasoning tends to enjoy a degree of success that varies with the example provided. Women in the United States have the right to choose an abortion, but there are fewer allies for physician-assisted suicide. And almost no one would condone the willing sale of oneself into slavery.
What about a utilitarian argument for organ sale? Given the shortage of organ donors, organ sale could save lives while padding pocketbooks.
Of course, some critics would take that reasoning head-on. The ends don’t always justify the means, they would say. Such a program degrades human life by turning our vitals into commodities.
Famed Freakanomics authors Stephen J. Dubner and Steven Levvitt dismiss some of these judgments as more queasy than clear. They explain that many practices we take for granted might appear immoral if they were to be stated explicitly. For instance, you would be repulsed if someone asked you to wager money on whether a stranger would live or die—yet life insurance does just this.
While Thaler is correct that we are still a ways away from having a serious discussion about legalizing the sale of organs, the idea of life insurance seemed preposterous not too long ago as well. It is possible that before long, this issue will evolve from an interesting philosophical puzzle into a contentious political debate.
-Luke
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