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Marketing human organs: the autonomy paradox
P A Marshall1, D C Thomasma, A S Daar
1Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60153, USA.
Theoretical Medicine
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Exploring market approaches for organ procurement addresses the organ shortage. Social, moral, and cultural factors influence organ donation as a gift versus a commodity exchange.
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Medical Sociology
- Health Economics
Background:
- Severe organ shortage for transplantation.
- Public reluctance for voluntary organ donation.
- Need for alternative organ procurement strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- Explore market approaches for human organ procurement.
- Analyze social and moral implications of organ donation (gift vs. commodity).
- Examine cultural construction of body part ownership and consent.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and conceptual analysis.
- Exploration of socio-cultural and economic frameworks.
- Discussion of ethical considerations in organ markets.
Main Results:
- Beliefs on body part ownership and consent are culturally constructed.
- Biomedical political-economic frameworks influence transplantation access and market development.
- Organ market approaches are negotiated within cultural parameters.
Conclusions:
- Market approaches for organ procurement are influenced by cultural beliefs about personhood, religion, economics, and technology.
- Ethical frameworks must consider cultural context in organ donation policies.
- Balancing individual autonomy with societal needs in organ transplantation remains a challenge.