Can An Organ Transplant Change A Recipient 's Personality?

Every day some dies after waiting years on a transplant list. The National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 says that in the United States, the sale of organs is illegal. Some believe this act may be preventing thousands of people from getting the organs that will save their lives. The truth is every day someone dies and their organs could be used to help others and everyday a life of one and the livelihood of another could be saved. The reasons for allowing the sale of organs is very simple to understand. It can help others financially, save money on medical expenses and most importantly, save lives. Critiques believe this would be a mistake causing spur of the moment decisions, and illegal obtain these organs for sale. With the use of regulation, these doubts can be laid to rest. Before the problem can be solved, the problem has to be identified.

There are a lot of people in this world that are going through organ failure. The National Kidney Foundation even found, “Every fourteen minutes someone is added to the kidney transplant list”. Statistically speaking, that is a great deal of people in need of a vital organ. The author Joanna MacKay talks about the need for organ donations in her article “Organ Sales Will Save Lives”. MacKay disputes her case briefly when stating her thesis in the first paragraph. She gives the audience her opinion on how the selling of organs should be built to become legal. Throughout the text she touches on the black market selling of kidneys. She also incorporates how other third world countries have allowed this practice of organ sales. The article includes her insight on what would happen if organ sales would be legalized and how it would be regulated.

In the United States, there are currently 116,608 people in need of a lifesaving organ transplant, and 75,684 people that are currently active waiting list candidates (HRSA, 2017). Between January and September 2017, there have only been 12,211 organ donors (HRSA, 2017) which is far less that the current demand for lifesaving organs. The shortage of donors could lead to an individual looking for outside sources such as the black market to find their lifesaving organ. Offering incentives to persons who chose to donate their organs or those of a deceased loved one is important because it could stop the illegal selling of organs, save the life of someone in need of an organ transplant and benefit both the donor and recipient.

The need of human organs for transplantation increases every single day and every passing month. Thousands of people are on the waiting list hoping for a chance at a new life. Unfortunately, the supply of available organs through organ donations is not able to provide for the growing demand of organs. According to a research conducted by the Hasting Center, “there are close to 100,000 people on the waiting list for a kidney, heart, liver, lung, and intestines, the pressure to find ways to increase their supply is enormous (Capland, 2014, p. 214). The shortage of human organs is leading people to participate in unethical acts. The pressure of finding available organs has resulted in healthcare professional and

Thousands of people in the United States are dying each year because of a failed kidney, and have no chance to receive one. In “Organ Sales Will Save Lives” by MIT student, Joanna MacKay argues against banning the sale of organs, but instead recommends legalizing and regulating the trade of human organs in order to try and save people’s lives. MacKay reports that in America alone, approximately 350,000 people struggle each year with kidney failure. Since there is no cure, and buying kidneys is currently illegal, this leads the person to search for other options that usually result in purchasing organs on the black market. MacKay states that a black market purchase allows the recipient to buy a fresh, healthy organ from a living donor without the agonizing process of waiting on a list (157-158). MacKay believes that both the recipient and donor would benefit in the legalization and regulation process and if this comes to pass, more organs would be made available for transplant and many people would get the chance to live another day.

Dying painfully in a hospital bed is not the way anyone wants to go. Unfortunately for many people, it is a reality. Thousands of people a year end up dying while waiting for an organ that could save their lives. While on the other side of the world, thousands of people die a year, but from infection when an organ is forcefully taken from them to sell on the black market. There are two sides of the organ donation list, and both can end in death. This paper will discuss the shortage of donated organs and the issues with the current donation system. It will also discuss the black market for transplant organs and possible solutions to viable organ shortage. The focus of this paper will be on transplant kidneys as they are the most desirable organ for buyers and sellers.

Every ten minutes a new person is added to the waiting list for organ transplants. With only three in one thousand people dying in a way that allows for organ donation, twenty-two people die each day waiting for a transplant. Almost all U.S. adults support organ donation, but less than half are actually signed up as organ donors (Organ Donation Statistics). Currently, the people desperate for organs or money turning to illegal hospitals and black-markets for buying and selling organs. Though the members of organ trafficking are rarely exposed and therefore the size of the problem is unknown, something has to be done for the people in need of organs now. The near future should hold a piece of health care technology that creates organs, combatting the unfortunate statistics of organ donations and the organized crime of trafficking organs.

There is a well-established industry for the buying and selling of organs to those who are in dire need of a transplant, both legally and illegally, in many different countries. The legalization of the sale of organs in the United States would have serious consequences and raises many ethical dilemmas- regardless of religious beliefs. There are several ideas presented in this paper that present the issues that have hindered the progression of the legalization of organs. Currently, there is an organ waiting list of 123,897 patients on the organ recipient list ,the number of transplant that have actually occurred in January - August 2014 are 19,426 (Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network). There is no denying that there is a significant gap between the number of transplant surgeries performed and those awaiting a donor. The ever growing need for these lifesaving organs is clear, but to allow human beings to sell parts of their body is not the solution to this complex problem.

While the needs for a donation of a lifesaving organ grows within an individual’s life the more desperation flood into their life choices and judgments. Thus, bringing into view the criminal endeavor of obtaining living human organs from shady “business deals” within the illegal human organ black market. Understandably, the reason why the human organ black market exists is because there is such a great need for human organs, yet not enough donations to meet those needs. In fact, it is estimated that nearly twelve Americans die of organ failure every day since they did not receive a donation before their premature death (Harris & Alcorn, 2001). While the human organ black market is a means in which one can receive a life saving organ, one must

Every day, an average of 79 people receive an organ transplant. However, an average of 22 people die each day waiting for transplants that can’t take place because of the deficiency of donated organs. Paying organ donors is prohibited by the National Organ Transplant Act of 1984, which has led desperate people on the transplant waiting list to turn to the black market in order to purchase their needed organ. We should be able to create a legal market for the purchase and sale of human organs. A legal market would not only increase the number of donated organs and save countless lives, but would also reduce crime and violence associated with the black market.

Not only do I believe in organ donation for the obvious reason of saving people’s lives, but also I believe a part of myself will continue into the next generation, or I’ll leave a mark on the world. Though death is, in fact, frowned upon, in an odd way I can’t wait to donate, for example, my eyes to someone who has never seen anything before in their life. Not only that, but whenever someone will look into their eyes they will see a trace of

The government attempts to control this market; yet, it is ironic that, “legislators may actually perfect the very criminal markets they seek to destroy” (Jaros, 2012, p. 1947). By only permitting citizens to freely donate which reduces the number of organs contributed, the legislators only give people two choices: turn to illegal means or succumb to death. Additionally, the perils of the black market could endanger people even more. Rosenbaum himself threatened those who had a desire to back out with death. He obligated people to give away a portion of their body and their life. Furthermore, the organs transferred in a black market may contain detrimental diseases or pathogens (Wong, 2007, p. 243). The places where some organ brokers acquire their stocks from is poorer regions, and people living there could be unknowingly ill with a disease. This would then be transferred to the organ receiver. Limiting or completely eradicating these situations could happen if organ sales were legalized, and this would put the black market, with the lurking dangers within it, out of

“Approximately one in 20 families refuse donation during his or her lifetime” (Nazark 283). Individuals deny organ donation because many are unaware of the need for organ donors and do not see how organ transplants truly benefit those in need. If individuals were more aware of the benefits of transplants, more would donate. “. . . survival rates in patients receiving a heart transplant is about 85 percent after one year and slightly less after two years” ( DeBakey and Gotto 224). The chance of life for an individual with a transplant is significantly high, and more individuals would be more prone to donation if they realized this.

In recent years, there been discussions about the underground economy concerning the illicit sales of organ retrieval services. Either by trade, sale or illegal stealing of organs the effects is widespread in foreign countries making way to the United States. The effects of this practice deeply affect many people who give into the hype of sacrificing self or others for payoffs, with the benefit not equaling to the value or the accommodations promised. The events happening, in foreign countries, affect the world and beyond because trends set standards not just where they begin, but who benefits. The correlation is if it sounds good and looks good, then why not tries it and reaps the perks. One particular scenario, which is causing such a trend in the world, is the selling of organs for money, which never in a million years will equal to human life. The game is to prey on the weak and poor by alluring those that sacrifice organs, an illusion of promises, perks or monies are the tactics used. When a person is preyed upon because of financial status or poverty struck, then the attraction is far greater for the seeker and the challenge is to retrieve the organ at any cost. What’s the solution for poverty stricken people who decide to sell, trade, or donate organs to a complete stranger for financial gain, perks, and the sacrifice of one’s life?

In the United States “There are currently 123, 378 people on the organ transplant wait list and of that number, approximately 21 will die today.” (McAndrews et al., 2016, pg. 182). People all over the world is waiting patiently for an organ donor for their loved ones or for themselves. Organ sales is an on-going process in the United States, as well in other countries. However, in the United States and some countries it is illegal for a person to sell their organs to anyone for money. Organ sales is when someone is selling their organs for money, and it is either to help them with their living situation, such as paying their bills, and putting food on their table. Organ sales have been a big problem in society, because individuals that are living in poverty in poor countries gets taken advantage of because of their living situation. These individuals will sell their organs to help get themselves or their family out of poverty. In the United States, Arab Emirates wanted to sell his kidney in-order-to help his family of two wives and six children living at their grandparent’s home. Another case is in India, “The Tribune, India reported that a 42-year-old Nepalese man named Man Dhoj Tamang sold one of his kidneys to pay off his debts and buy a piece of land.” (Bakdash, 2006, para. 3). Organ sales in the United States are immoral, because they target the individuals living in poverty, causes organ or human trafficking, and creates a black market that is unfair.