Ethics, Organ Markets, and Dry Ice

This chapter argues that thr author's dry ice saga graphically illustrates one of the central problems in organ donation today. It examines why most medical centers make it harder than is needed for people to donate organs. Advocates for markets in organs talk about the power of incentives, however, what we see today, is the power of disincentives. The chapter offers a better model to treat organ donors: to treat them like financial donors. Philanthropy professionals in medical centers around the country are expert at taking care of donors, making it easy for them to give, cultivating them, and showing gratitude. The chapter explores how organ donation programs could improve their customer service, and possibly retain more potential donors, if they developed the ethos of their philanthropy departments instead of the ethos of their surgery departments. The chapter also explains the logic of supply and demand in relation to the barriers of cost and inconvenience for people who are willing to donate. Ultimately, it presents the arguments of the opponents and the defenders of markets about the idea of legalized organ markets.