Kidney market
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The concept of a kidney market generates significant debate regarding its ethical, economic, and practical implications. Here are some key perspectives from experts:
Ethical Concerns
Richard Epstein, discussing on the , highlights objections such as the potential exploitation of vulnerable populations. Epstein counters that excluding the poor from selling kidneys could paradoxically remove opportunities from those who might need them the most. He suggests implementing rigorous safety and quality checks on purchased kidneys to ensure only healthy organs are used 1.
Economic Insights
Professors Gary Becker and Julio Elias estimated the market price of a kidney at around $15,000, considering factors such as pain, risk, and economic conditions. This figure seemingly aligns with Iran's system where kidney markets are legal and effectively eliminate wait lists by incentivizing donations 2 3.
Practical Implementation
In Iran, a non-profit system ensures ethical kidney transplants without the profit-driven motives of middlemen. This model involves dialysis and transplant patient associations managing the logistics and payments, contrasting sharply with the exploitations seen in black markets 4. Iran's system has significantly reduced waiting times for transplants, though ethical concerns over donor anonymity persist 5 3.
Market Logistics and Public Benefit
Epstein believes a regulatory framework could manage a kidney market effectively, combining charitable donations with regulated sales to ensure both supply and ethical integrity. He argues that a well-regulated market could reduce dialysis costs and enhance recipients' productivity, benefitting the economy long-term 6.
These viewpoints illustrate that while a kidney market may address issues of scarcity and economic costs, it must navigate carefully through ethical concerns and safeguard against exploitation.
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