Official individuals partake in organ trafficking which shows that organ trafficking is a valid issue that must be handled. As of now, U.S. citizens are not prohibited to buy organs outside of the United States by NOTA (National Organ Transplant Act of 1984). In “Can The Government Ban Organ Sale? Recent Court Challenges And The Future Of US Law On Selling Human Organs And Other Tissue”, Glenn I. Cohen states that “. . . if a US citizen travels abroad to buy a kidney or other organ his act is not prohibited by NOTA and it is generally accepted that more general US laws prohibiting trafficking do not apply to organ sale” (Cohen 1984). Buying organs outside of the United States transplant system is not yet illegal, but it is highly frowned upon.
The moral issue with organ donations is prevalent in today’s society. The Pope had declared that organ donation is an act of value. “Organ donation is seen as a gift of love and fits within a communication ethos that most religions embrace” (Tonti- Filippini 410). In most religions, organ donation is regarded as honorable to the human race. Organ donation should be embraced in the same way that organ trafficking needs to be kept under control because it is immoral. Organ shortages cause a more prevalent organ trafficking black market today. “The underground organ trade constitutes ten percent of worldwide organ transplants, producing between $600 million and $1.2 billion in illicit revenue each year” (Kelly 1319). Organ shortages drive people to participate in the black market for organ transplants, and there is a ton of money as a result of this issue.
In the United States and throughout the world, there is an abundant shortage of organs and a high need for organ donors. Organ shortages cause many deaths annually, with three candidates dying daily, and so many individuals decide not to donate in their lifetime. “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.
Transplants produce profit for everybody, but it is not ethical to sell these organs. “Additionally, the Act criminalized the sale of human organs, stating that it shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly acquire, receive, or otherwise transfer any human organ for valuable consideration for use in human transplantation if the transfer affects interstate commerce” (Reidler et. al 409). Selling organs is unlawful because it interferes with the organ transplant system...
