TITLE: Organ Selling: A Taboo Topic in Modern Society

White Hat - Facts (FAYE & ANGELA)

FOR WRITTEN OUTPUT

The purchase and sale of organs for transplantation is a complicated and contentious issue that has
sparked a never-ending debate around the world. While some argue that organ sales could help
alleviate the donor shortage and save many lives, others strongly oppose the practice for moral,
ethical, and practical reasons.

The paper aims to present a thorough analysis of the problem of organ selling, taking into account
relevant facts, cultural and historical contexts, and personal experiences. This will help raise
awareness of the problem and foster thoughtful dialogue about it. In turn, this will make legislators,
medical professionals, and the general public more knowledgeable about the different impacts of
selling organs.

It should be mentioned that this paper aims to present unbiased and factual information regarding
the sale of organs. The goal is to promote more awareness and conversation about the ramifications
and possible solutions surrounding this issue, not to support or encourage illegal activity.

An organ transplant might be the only thing keeping a patient alive when their organs fail and all
other therapeutic options have been used up. This initiates the process of finding a suitable organ
donor. Living donors are often close friends or family members. An individual who has passed away
and given written consent to donate their organs can also donate organs. In an ethical organ
donation process, nobody gains financially from the donation of an organ.

However, according to the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation, 2020, the current
global need for organs is far greater than the supply. More than 150,000 transplants are performed
worldwide each year, but this represents less than 10% of the global need. Some terminally ill
patients are willing to break the law in order to obtain an organ transplant, even if it means exploiting
vulnerable and impoverished people.

This is where we insert the question “Why were we given two kidneys when we can survive with only
one?”

The terms "Trafficking in Persons for Organ Removal" and "Organ Trafficking" designate two
different crimes with different sentencing guidelines. The illegal movement of organs is referred to by
the World Health Organization as "organ trafficking". For instance, selling an organ for a profit or
announcing one's willingness to buy or sell an organ are examples of organ trafficking.

On the other hand, "Trafficking in Persons for Organ Removal" is the illegal use of an organ obtained
by a vulnerable person through fraud, abuse, coercion, or other means. Since the crime here is
human trafficking, the organ need not even be removed in order for it to happen.
Did you know?

● Following the kidneys, the liver, heart, lungs, and pancreas are the organs that
are trafficked the most frequently. There are also emerging markets for human
eggs, skin, human embryos, and blood plasma. Although prices can vary greatly
depending on the country and the buyer's nationality, the average cost of a
kidney on the black market is between $10,000 and $15,000.

For centuries, organs have been traded, with ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Greeks
documenting instances of organ donation and sale. However, organ transplantation did not become
a viable medical procedure until the twentieth century, resulting in a surge in demand for organs and
a corresponding increase in organ trafficking. Organ selling is now a multibillion-dollar industry, with
estimates ranging from $600 million to $2 billion per year, and countless people around the world are
affected by this. However, commercial trade in human organs remains illegal in all countries except
Iran.

There is no organ shortage or waiting list in Iran because it is the only nation in the world that
permits the sale of a kidney for compensation, usually in the form of money. Iran made living
non-related kidney donation (LNRD) legal in 1988. The Charity Foundation for Special Diseases
(CFSD) and the Charity Association for the Support of Kidney Patients (CASKP) regulate the organ
trade with government assistance. These nonprofit groups conduct compatibility tests to match
donors and recipients. As a result of this legislation, it is estimated that 1400 Iranians sell one of their
kidneys each year to an unidentified recipient.

China, with one of the world's largest organ transplant programs—which included over 13,000 liver
and kidney transplants annually in 2004—also participates in this practice, in addition to Iran. China
started its transplant program in the early 1960s, and although there have been some infection and
hepatitis-related deaths, the program has been successful in saving many lives. In the mid-1980s,
however, there were unsettling reports of organ harvesting from executed Chinese prisoners for sale
abroad after a 1984 law legalized the practice if the deceased person's family agreed or if the body
was left unclaimed.

Globally, there is a significant incidence of trafficking in persons for the removal of organs, but it is
most prevalent in Northern Africa and the Middle East. Moreover, Southeast Asia, Central America,
and Europe have higher numbers of cases of it. Transplant tourism is the term used to describe the
willingness of an individual to travel overseas in order to obtain an organ.

Countries with less regulation tend to have higher rates of transplant tourism. This is how dishonest
medical personnel, hospital managers, lab employees, drivers, interpreters, and law enforcement
can assist traffickers in creating criminal networks. A United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
report claims that dishonest law enforcement officers and medical professionals who ignore the
practice in return for bribes or other forms of payment frequently aid in the trafficking of organs.

Refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers are beneficial to traffickers because they are often
desperate to provide for themselves and their families and are willing to use an organ to pay the
smuggler's fee. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the average
victim is a young adult male, around 30 years old.
Donors are sought both online and in person. They are typically vulnerable people who lack financial
stability. They may be uneducated and told lies by traffickers such as kidneys growing back, having
three kidneys, or receiving medical care after the surgery. They are promised between $500 and
$10,000 but may never be paid. They are sometimes compelled to sign documents indicating valid
consent or to declare their relationship to the patient. In the case in Pakistan in January 2023, the
victims were enticed with promises of high-paying jobs. Their kidneys were sold for up to $4,000
USD.

However, it is also important to note that Organ trafficking occurs less frequently than labor or sex
trafficking due to the level of medical skill and coordination required to successfully perform the
crime and the crimes frequently occur within a network of accredited medical facilities with medical
professionals who are certified by law, making it challenging to track the full extent of the issue.

Sources:

https://theexodusroad.com/organ-trafficking-facts/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2322914/

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/china-forcefully-harvests-organs-detainees-tribunal-concludes
-n1018646

https://icat.un.org/sites/g/files/tmzbdl461/files/publications/icat_brief_tip_for_or_final.pdf

FOR PPT

What is organ transplant?

An organ transplant is crucial for patients with failing organs, requiring a suitable donor. Living
donors, deceased individuals, or those with written consent can donate, ensuring ethical donation
without financial gain.

Additionally, according to the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation 2020 reveals that
the global organ transplant demand is significantly higher than the supply, with some terminally ill
patients breaking the law for transplants.

This is where we insert the question “Why were we given two kidneys when we can survive
with only one?”

Did you know?

Following the kidneys, the liver, heart, lungs, and pancreas are the organs that are trafficked the
most frequently. There are also emerging markets for human eggs, skin, human embryos, and blood
plasma. Although prices can vary greatly depending on the country and the buyer's nationality, the
average cost of a kidney on the black market is between $10,000 and $15,000.
Egyptian and Greek

Iran

China

Did you know?

Transplant tourism, involving individuals traveling overseas to obtain organs, is a prevalent issue
globally, particularly in Northern Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Central America, and
Europe.

Countries with less regulation often have higher transplant tourism rates due to dishonest medical
personnel, hospital managers, lab employees, drivers, interpreters, and law enforcement aiding
traffickers. Refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers are often victims, willing to use organs to pay
smugglers' fees. The average victim is a young adult male.

Organ trafficking involves exploiting vulnerable individuals, often lied to for financial gain. Victims are
promised between $500 and $10,000 but may never receive payment. In Pakistan, victims were
enticed with promises of high-paying jobs and kidneys sold for up to $4,000 USD. Organ trafficking is
less common than labor or sex trafficking due to medical skill and coordination.

Red Hat - Emotions (Arguments about the issue of Organ Selling ) (FAYE & ATE NORA)

FOR WRITTEN OUTPUT

Ethics is defined as a methodical inquiry into human behavior to discover both the rules that govern
or should govern human action, as well as the good that is worth seeking in human life. As a result,
ethics is not always about what is absolutely correct or incorrect, acceptable or unacceptable, ideal
or less than ideal. It is more about what is the right action to take in specific circumstances, what is
the lesser of two evils, and what is the balance between doing good and causing harm. This is why
people are divided on this issue; because it deals with ethical and highly personal aspects of human
life, the topic has the potential to elicit a wide range of cultural, ethical, and philosophical
perspectives that elicit certain emotions.

Rule-based Ethics:

According to Immanuel Kant, "human beings should treat others never only as a means, but also as
an end." In other words, rational people should act only on universally applicable principles, such as
helping people in need because it is one's duty to help one's fellow men. However, Kant is obviously
opposed to the practice of selling any part of the human body, claiming that "one's body parts define
one's freedom as a human being" and that "morality presupposes rationality," which in turn involves
freedom. As a result, giving up a part of one's body would be irrational and immoral, equivalent to
"ceasing to be human" - a form of suicide.
Additionally, he contends that an individual cannot be both property and a person (Kant 1980, 165).
It is "self-contradictory" to say that someone is both because they are not "at his own disposal" and
cannot be their own property. As a result, they are unable to sell any portion of their body.

Kant's viewpoint is consistent with the way that some individuals see this matter as a
commodification of the human body and a breach of human dignity. It is generally acknowledged
today that treating people like inanimate objects is wrong both morally and legally. The law believes
that every human being should be treated as "someone," not as "something". Conversely, some find
it abhorrent to consider buying or selling human organs. They believe that organs shouldn't be
treated like other commodities because they do not qualify as comparable.

Utilitarianism:

The morality of an action was determined by its effects, according to the theories of Jeremy Bentham
(1748–1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806–1873). The most beneficial actions are those that benefit
the largest number of people who are impacted by their consequences. When considering organ
selling from this ethical angle, Betham and Mill argue that it is advantageous for both parties to sell
an organ in order to aid another and receive compensation in return. A kidney will be given to the
patient, improving their quality of life. The seller is compensated for giving up a healthy kidney; the
hospital and pharmaceutical companies profit; and thus those most involved in the circumstances
benefit.

Others share this viewpoint, feeling optimistic about the potential advantages of organ sales,
including better access to transplantation, shorter patient wait times, and better health outcomes
overall. They contend that organ sales could contribute to addressing the transplant shortage of
available organs and offer a more just resolution for those in need. They see it as bringing happiness
to most people while simultaneously bringing satisfaction to oneself.

Virtue Ethics:

According to Aristotle, if one possesses the virtue of practical wisdom, which will guide one in putting
the relevant virtue into practice, one will be able to make the appropriate moral decisions in practical
situations of moral choices. The overall goal is happiness or flourishing and living well - but as an
objective desire chosen because it is acceptable and choice-worthy in and of itself. To sell organs, a
person must have certain qualities such as knowledge, security, and concern for one's health. The
action chosen should also be reasonable, that is, properly substantiated and supported by the right
motives; and it should be reasonable and properly executed.

Individuals must respond to questions such as "Why sell an organ?" So why not? Why is it legal?
Why not sell it on the black market? Is the procedure for removing a kidney scientific/acceptable/the
best way to go about it? Aside from our viewpoint, a person must consider the viewpoint of society
on organ selling considering humans rely on one another to achieve their goals, and they are an
important part of your context when making moral decisions. Finally, consider the advantages and
disadvantages of the current situation. Recognizing all of these factors carefully will assist an
individual in balancing or reaching a compromise between various moral claims.

Yellow Hat - Positive Consequences by ms. CHESKA

Sources:

https://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1727-378120
10000200004&fbclid=IwAR0cruaoYSa6DDEhdXYuwlcwKJ24UkyxOTJE6UG_6iE
NkNgZ8AzNmT6SkqM

https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1728&context
=ny_pubs#:~:text=In%20that%20work%2C%20Kant%20says,reasons%20t
hat%20suicide%20is%20wrong.

FOR PPT

Ethics is defined as a methodical inquiry into human behavior to discover both the rules that govern
or should govern human action, as well as the good that is worth seeking in human life.

● ethics is not always about what is absolutely correct or incorrect,

● acceptable or unacceptable,
● ideal or less than ideal.

It is more about what is the right action to take in specific circumstances, what is the lesser of two
evils, and what is the balance between doing good and causing harm.

Rule-based Ethics

According to Immanuel Kant, "human beings should treat others never only as a means, but also as
an end."

He contends that an individual cannot be both property and a person (Kant 1980, 165). It is
"self-contradictory" to say that someone is both because they are not "at his own disposal" and
cannot be their own property.

The law believes that "someone," not as "something".

Conversely, some find it abhorrent to consider buying or selling human organs.

Utilitarianism

The morality of an action was determined by its effects, according to the theories of Jeremy Bentham
(1748–1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806–1873)
They contend that organ sales could contribute to addressing the transplant shortage of available
organs and offer a more just resolution for those in need. They see it as bringing happiness to most
people while simultaneously bringing satisfaction to oneself.

Virtue Ethics

Aristotle, if one possesses the virtue of practical wisdom, which will guide one in putting the relevant
virtue into practice, one will be able to make the appropriate moral decisions in practical situations of
moral choices.

Individuals must respond to questions such as:

"Why sell an organ?"

So why not? Why is it legal?

Why not sell it on the black market?

Is the procedure for removing a kidney scientific/acceptable/the best way to go about it?

Yellow Hat - Positive Consequences (EDRIAN & CHESKA)

FOR WRITTEN OUTPUT

- The idea of organ selling is a complex and controversial topic with ethical, legal, and moral
considerations. While there are concerns and risks associated with organ selling, it's important to
explore potential positive consequences to offer a balanced perspective. Here are some arguments
that proponents of regulated organ selling might put forth:
Increased Organ Supply:

One of the main potential benefits of organ selling is an increase in the supply of organs for
transplantation. Many people die each year due to a shortage of available organs. Legalizing organ
selling could potentially help address this shortage and save more lives.

Reduced Organ Trafficking:

Legalizing and regulating organ selling might help reduce illegal organ trafficking. When organ
selling is prohibited, a black market often emerges, leading to exploitation and abuse of vulnerable
individuals. A legal framework with appropriate regulations could ensure transparency and fair
compensation.

Financial Incentive for Donors:

Offering financial incentives to organ donors may encourage more people to donate. While there are
concerns about the ethics of commodifying body parts, proponents argue that compensating donors
could help alleviate financial burdens and make the act of donation more accessible.

-It's important to note that these potential positive consequences are speculative, and the ethical
concerns associated with organ selling remain significant. Many argue that the risks, such as
exploitation of vulnerable individuals, the potential for coercion, and the commodification of the
human body, outweigh the potential benefits.

-Public opinion, cultural values, and ethical considerations play crucial roles in shaping the discourse
around organ selling, and any policy changes in this regard would need to carefully balance the
potential benefits and risks. Additionally, the medical community and society at large would need to
work together to establish robust regulations and safeguards to ensure the ethical and fair
implementation of any such system.

FOR PPT

-The idea of organ selling is a complex and controversial topic with ethical, legal, and moral
considerations. While there are concerns and risks associated with organ selling, it's important to
explore potential positive consequences to offer a balanced perspective. Here are some arguments
that proponents of regulated organ selling might put forth:

● Increased organ supply

● Reduced organ trafficking
● Financial incentives for donors

It's important to note that these potential positive consequences are speculative, and the ethical
concerns associated with organ selling remain significant. Many argue that the risks, such as
exploitation of vulnerable individuals, the potential for coercion, and the commodification of the
human body, outweigh the potential benefits.
Public opinion, cultural values, and ethical considerations play crucial roles in shaping the discourse
around organ selling, and any policy changes in this regard would need to carefully balance the
potential benefits and risks. Additionally, the medical community and society at large would need to
work together to establish robust regulations and safeguards to ensure the ethical and fair
implementation of any such system.

Given the vast number of people who would be willing to part with their organs for a price, those
needing organs will have a much greater chance of getting healthier or better matched ones,
increasing the number of successful transplants.

Black Hat - Negative Consequences (EDRIAN & SARAH )

FOR WRITTEN OUTPUT

-The potential negative consequences of organ selling are numerous and have been a primary
reason for the ethical and legal challenges associated with the idea. Here are some key concerns:

Inequitable Access to Organ Transplants:

If organ selling is allowed, there is a risk that wealthier individuals or those with better access to
information and resources may have an unfair advantage in obtaining organs. This could exacerbate
existing disparities in healthcare and result in a system where the wealthy can essentially buy their
way to the front of the organ transplant waiting list.

Risk to Donor Health:

Selling an organ involves medical procedures that carry inherent risks. Donors might be more likely
to hide health issues or rush through the medical evaluation process if financial gain is their primary
motivation. This raises concerns about the safety of both donors and recipients.

As with any other surgery, there are both short and long term risks involved in living donation.
Surgical complications can include pain, infection, blood loss, blood clots, allergic reactions to
anesthesia, pneumonia, injury to surrounding tissue or other organs, and even death. As transplant
surgeries are becoming more common and surgical techniques are advancing, risks involved with
living donation continue to decrease.

Undermining Altruistic Donation:

Legalizing organ selling could undermine the culture of altruistic organ donation, where individuals
willingly donate organs to save lives without financial incentives. This could erode the sense of
community and solidarity that currently exists around the concept of organ donation.

Potential for Organ Trafficking:

Even with regulations in place, there is a risk of organ trafficking persisting in the form of an illegal
market. This could lead to further exploitation and abuse, with criminal organizations taking
advantage of regulatory loopholes.

Organ traffickers profit in the shadows, while their destructive medical footprint is the only thing that
is felt. It leaves vulnerable populations, aka “donors,” and first world beneficiaries, aka “recipients,”
open to severe exploitation and a lifetime of health consequences.

This form of illicit trade also leaves the private sector, in particular the financial industry, susceptible
to being an unknowing conduit for its facilitation. Although, with the right training and raised
awareness, financial institutions may play a pivotal role in unmasking organ traders by way of the
financial trail they leave behind.

-In light of these potential negative consequences, many ethicists, medical professionals, and
policymakers argue for maintaining the prohibition on organ selling and focusing on alternative
solutions to address the organ shortage, such as increasing voluntary organ donation, improving
organ allocation systems, and investing in medical research to develop alternative sources of
organs.

FOR PPT

-The potential negative consequences of organ selling are numerous and have been a primary
reason for the ethical and legal challenges associated with the idea. Here are some key concerns:

● Inequitable Access to Organ Transplants

● Risk to Donor Health:
● Undermining Altruistic Donation:
● Potential for Organ Trafficking

Allowing organs to be bought and sold would lead to the "plundering of peasants' parts for
profits"--the exploitation of the poor and ignorant, especially in impoverished third-world countries.
People living in extreme poverty are often desperate and ill-informed. Profit seekers would take
advantage of this, obtaining "consent" from those who feel compelled by necessity to sell their
organs, and who may not have a clear idea of the consequences of what they were doing

American Transplant Foundation. (2022, November 29). Benefits and risks of becoming a living
organ donor - American Transplant Foundation.
https://www.americantransplantfoundation.org/about-transplant/living-donation/about-living-donation/

Monterrosa-Yancey, K. (2018, July 31). ACAMS today. ACAMS Today.

https://www.acamstoday.org/organ-trafficking-the-unseen-form-of-human-trafficking

Organ selling and transplants. (n.d.).

https://www.scu.edu/mcae/publications/iie/v1n2/kidneys.html#:~:text=Allowing%20organs%20to%20
be%20bought%20and%20sold%20would%20lead%20to,often%20desperate%20and%20ill%2Dinfor
med.
Green Hat - Creative ideas /Alternative solutions to the issue (MA’AM ALICIA & PATRICIA)

FOR WRITTEN OUTPUT

Before we dive deeper into the creative ideas or alternative solutions on organ selling discussion,
let's clearly identify the organs which can be transplanted or donated, namely: heart, lungs, liver,
kidneys, pancreas and small bowels.

Pancreas transplants are not as common as kidney or liver transplants and are often conducted as a
double transplant with the kidney, as many people in need of a pancreas transplant also have
advanced kidney disease. Sounds quite complicated, right?

Aside from that, there are potential risks of transplant surgery – any surgery for that matter – and
several possible complications, too:

1. Risk of rejection of the transplanted organ

2. Increased risk of rejection due to the immunosuppressant medications
3. Any of the side effects of immunosuppressant medications
4. Small risk for acquiring AIDS, hepatitis B, other viruses, or Cancer from the donor. Organ
donors are screened very carefully for these diseases, however on rare occasions, they are
undetectable and may be passed to the recipient

Apart from the above scenarios, there are also arguments against organ donation/sale which are
grounded in 2 broad considerations, such as: sale is contrary to human dignity; and sale violates
equity. Though the sale of human organs has justifiable reasons to be dismissed as a solution to the
problem of organ shortage, the proposal still has its own share of advantages which could outweigh
the negative view of the solution.

We cannot deny the fact that organ replacement would improve one’s quality of life. Except for the
possibility of multiple drawbacks like incompatibility with the donated organ, ethical and religious
issue, and organ shortage, organ replacement is really the best option when a patient’s organ
malfunctions.

Now, for alternative solutions, we arrived up with the following proposals: xenotransplantation, 3D
bioprinting, mechanical support, regenerative technologies such as the use of regenerative
medicine, raising awareness among physicians and the general public, investing in public health
programs, and enforcing transplantation legislation.

Xenotransplantation is the transfer of living cells, tissues and/or organs from non-human animal
species into humans. The advancement of xenotransplantation can be considered as fulfilling
multiple purposes: being a complete substitute for human organs; supplementing human organs,
thereby alleviating the existing lack of suitable organs for transplantation; or acting as a "bridge"
organ until a "destination" organ can be identified. However, it is not yet a recognized medical
practice in developed countries, although it has the potential to cover a wide range of applications.

The 3D-printed organs are constructed of a cellular mixture known as bio-ink and are used to
produce biomedical parts that replicate natural tissue. Bio-ink is often composed of cultivated cells
combined with biopolymer hydrogels like gelatin or alginate, which aid in the construction of organ
structures and the protection of living cells throughout the printing process.

Mechanical support is the use of devices aimed at providing assistance to failing organs. Mechanical
circulatory support devices, for example, assist your heart in pumping blood. These are mechanical
pumps that transport blood from your heart into your blood arteries.

Regenerative technologies, such as regenerative medicine, are defined as a branch of translational

research in tissue engineering and molecular biology that deals with the "process of supplanting,
engineering, or recreating human cells, tissues, or organs in order to repair or restore normal
function."

For the transplantation program to be successful, people must be informed of organ donation and
have an optimistic perspective about donating organs. This can be accomplished through the use of
media such as commercials, infographics, and social media. Furthermore, society, in collaboration
with governmental authorities and health professionals, must collaborate in initiatives to address the
factors that indicate trafficking and respond to cases of trafficking in order for the transplantation
program to be equitable and transparent. Lastly, physicians and transplant surgeons must ensure, to
the best of their abilities, that the organs they transplant have been obtained in accordance with the
highest ethical standards.

Investment should be directed toward public health programs for screening, prevention, and
treatment of illnesses that can lead to organ failure. Prevention is not only less expensive; it also
minimizes the expenditures of illness associated with organ failure and donation, which is particularly
important in nations where end-stage organ failure therapy may be unavailable.

Legislation establishes a framework for transplant governance that establishes the government's and
society's commitment to ethical practice. There should be clearly defined codes of conduct for
medical institutions and practitioners' roles in unregulated paid organ donations and transplants, as
well as a legal framework that supports organ recovery (including from deceased donors) and
transplantation, as well as essential hospital infrastructure such as intensive care facilities and
tissue-typing laboratories, transparent transplant waiting lists, deceased donor and transplant
registries, public education and awareness, and public education and awareness.

FOR PPT

Specific organs which can be transplanted/donated are:

1. Heart
2. Lungs
3. Liver
4. Kidneys
5. Pancreas
6. Small bowels

Alternative solutions of organ transplant are the following:

1. Xenotransplantation
 2. 3d bioprinting
3. Mechanical support
4. Regenerative technologies in development like regenerative medicine
5. Raising awareness among physicians and the general public
6. Investment in public health programs
7. Enforce legislation for transplantation

Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19880230/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5414440/

https://journals.lww.com/transplantationdirect/fulltext/2019/03000/strengthening_global_efforts_to_co
mbat_organ.8.aspx

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.900594/full

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/regenerative-medicine#:~:t
ext=Regenerative%20medicine%20is%20a%20branch,of%20engineering%20damaged%20tissues
%20and

https://www.uwhealth.org/treatments/mechanical-circulatory-support-devices#:~:text=Mechanical%2
0circulatory%20support%20devices%20help,and%20into%20your%20blood%20vessels.

https://builtin.com/3d-printing/3d-printed-organs

Blue Hat - Summary/Conclusion (MA’AM ALICIA & AVIELLA)

FOR WRITTEN OUTPUT

In summary, one thing is clear that the number of people in need of a new organ is far greater than
the availability of organs. In America alone, over 100,000 Americans await organ transplants and
over 6,000 die annually while waiting. On the other hand, according to the International Registry in
Organ Donation and Transplantation, organ donation in the Philippines has been steadily declining
from 227 in 2012 to 12 in 2020 due to the decreasing number of willing donors. It was further stated
that every hour, one Filipino is diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Consequently, in the event that a particular organ fails to function, it is the option of the patient
whether to have it replaced or not. Should the patient opted to replace, it would always be nice to
note that a replacement or organ donor is available. Moreover, the compatibility of the organ to be
transplanted is another issue at hand. Indeed, life is at stake, both on the part of the donor as well as
on the part of the patient.

It can be mentioned in passing that the kidney organ is the most commonly trafficked organ due to
its high demand in the black market and the fact that a donor can survive with only one kidney.
However, organ selling is a serious crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison under Philippine
law. So what is allowed is just organ donation per RA 7170 otherwise known as The Organ
Donation Act of 1991 as amended by RA 7885 which is An Act to Advance Corneal Transplantation
in the Philippines. Such law approved on January 7, 1992.

Another point of concern is legalizing the matter. Legalization would allow authorized brokers to turn
profits while reducing the number of their illegal counter parts. If the goal is to improve the quality
and quantity of the supply of much needed tissues/organs without creating more harm to the public,
legalizing the sale of human organs may be worth pursuing. There is one country, Iran, which
already legalized organ selling.

Upon thorough, profound and deliberate contemplation of the above-presented facts, positive
consequences and negative consequences of organ selling, it is far more cost effective to pay for a
kidney transplant than to keep a patient alive on dialysis. These types of transplants currently pay
for themselves within 2 years as opposed to the costs of keeping patients alive through expensive
treatments. Also, as deaths from transplant operations continue to fall, transplants become more
desirable.

FOR PPT

High demand but low supply:

The need for organ transplants is much higher than the availability of organs. In fact, Over
100,000 Americans await organ transplants and over 6,000 die annually while waiting. In the
Philippines, organ donation has been declining. from 227 in 2012 to 12 in 2020 due to the
decreasing number of willing donors.
Life or death:
Individuals suffering from organ failure have to decide whether to replace the organ or not.
When an organ fails and stops working, the person's health quickly declines, which affects
their overall health and, in critical cases, it could lead to death if treatment is not provided.
Kidney trafficking:
Kidney organ is the most commonly trafficked organ due to its high demand in the black
market and the fact that a donor can survive with only one kidney. This creates an illegal
market that preys on vulnerable individuals, frequently motivated by desperation and poverty,
who are tricked into selling their organs under unsure and sometimes dangerous conditions.
Legalization debate:
Legalization would allow authorized brokers to turn profits while reducing the number of their
illegal counterparts, but raises ethical and moral concerns. In the Philippines organ selling is
a serious crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison under Philippine law. So what is
allowed is just organ donation per RA 7170 otherwise known as The Organ Donation Act of
1991 as amended by RA 7885 which is An Act to Advance Corneal Transplantation in the
Philippines. Such law approved on January 7, 1992. Iran is the only country to have legalized
it.
Cost-effectiveness:
It is far more cost effective to pay for a kidney transplant than to keep a patient alive on
dialysis. These types of transplants currently pay for themselves within 2 years as opposed
to the costs of keeping patients alive through expensive treatments and as transplant
success rates improve, they become more attractive.