ECO E533 Economics for Managerial Decision Making

Workshop 2 - Paper: A market for human organs

By: CN- UOP MBA

A market for human organs

I consider the chance to explore an array of new fields one of the many positive sides of following an MBA course. We are now invited to elaborate on the question whether there should be a market for human organs. A close look is needed, as there are many sides to this subject. To formulate the scope of my paper I need to break down the question. “Should” there be some form of trade, implicates the ethical weight expected on our paper. A suggested “market”, given the subject, provides the controversial setting in this story. Plus, the question itself asks for my personal opinion, which I intend to convey through this paper. ‘Should there be a market for human organs?’ Yes, I believe there should, provided ethical regulations are in place. And I must admit, that was not my first thought when I started this assignment. I want to elaborate on how my opinion was formed and  how I define this market situation. Further, I want to make a contribution to this ‘free market’ concept analyzing some of it’s constraints.  

My internet research on the topic soon revealed the issues at stake. I base my opinion upon these findings. There is a tremendous shortage on donor organs. This leads to long waiting lists and consequently to a high fatality rate. In the US only, the number of casualties reaches over fifteen per day and the numbers are only growing. The public opinion is divided into two camps. Regulations are still driven by some form of government paternalism. Law makers still believe in an altruistic-based allocation system instead of a market-based mechanism. Recent laws prohibit donors to sell their organs engaging in a common market situation. Efforts to increase donation through educational campaigns have failed miserably. There is a well documented illegal circuit in human organs. Unlawful practices take often place in closed governments such as China or in poor and underdeveloped countries such as India. Illegal activities are driven by desperation on both sides; supply and demand. Here we see ethical, religious and cultural believes collapse under pressure of human needs. This proofs once again that the forces of demand and supply are strong and not to be ignored. Both sides will always meet; the question is how and under what circumstances. In a far distance, we can compare this to the Dutch policy on soft drugs. Trade and consumption is out of the illegal circuit and therefore partly controllable. I believe we are better of if we can regulate this. The number of experts endorsing the free market concept is growing, renowned doctor and high ranked politicians among them. They see this as the only solution to the growing pain left by the negative current statistics.

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Where am I in favor of? A market is a place, either virtual or located, in which demand and supply meet. These forces within a market regulate the price. Rules of the game are agreed among participants, including governments. I intend to use the concept of a market in the broadest possible way. I believe the current situation on organ transplant calls for a mechanism of exchange that brings supply and demand together. As in any market, it needs a mechanism that regulates underlying issues such as fair play and ethical questions such as acquisition and distribution of organs.

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