Resolved: The US Government Should Legalize Financial Incentives For Organ Donation

Hello, I will be speaking for the CON (negative) side of this topic. Right now, there are thousands of people on waiting lists for organs. Some suggest that financial incentives will promote organ donations, saving lives. I am here to tell you that this is not true. Available studies from countries that sanction or do not control kidney selling suggests that the lump sum that the sellers receive has their long term financial security, and many end up worse than before. This means incentives are not even benefiting the donor, which was their only purpose. There is absolutely no point in using them. This is why I oppose the following topic: Resolved: the US government would legalize financial incentives for organ donation. I will discuss ethical issues, solvency, and alternatives to hopefully convince you to oppose this topic. My first argument is Ethically. Financial incentives will not work because it is unethical. The ultimate decision of donating is made by the people. If it is unethical, no one will do it. First, Devaluating Human Life. According to The National Kidney Foundation, March 3, 2011, Direct or indirect economic benefits in exchange for organ donation are inconsistent with our values as a society. This means, by treating the body as property, in the hope of increasing organ supply, we risk devaluating the very human life we seek to save. Second, Strict Religions According to Life Science, Many religions are against giving away organs, whether the person is deceased or alive. This means, those in the religious groups would not support organ transplantation, decreasing the amount of organ supply. Therefore, financial incentives are unethical. My next argument is solvency Financial Incentives will lead to less organ donations. First, Dismisses Altruistic Donors. According to, Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, Nov 2006, Kidney selling would distort and undermine the altruism and common citizenship on which our whole organ donation system currently relies. This means, organ trade would be easily corrupted destroying the values that we lived on. Incentives would not increase the number of donors. It will cause all altruistic donors leave, causing a greater organ shortage than ever before. Second, Corrupt Health System. According to, The National Kidney Foundation, March 3, 2011, public opinion polls and focus groups have disclosed that many Americans are not inclined to be organ donors because they distrust the U. S. health care system. A program of financial incentives for organ donation is not likely to change these perceptions and, indeed, may aggravate mistrust. This means, because of our previous corruption in our health care system, no one will trust these financial incentives. Therefore, financial incentives will not work, and will lead to fewer donations My Next argument is alternatives. There are alternatives to financial incentives. We do not need incentives. There is technology, today, that can regenerate organs. According to Harvard University, we can take tissue from a damaged organ, such as a urethra or a blood vessel, split the organ into different cell types. With these cells, we can grow, and duplicate organs using molds. We can use the molds and scaffolds to make organs, and then insert it inside the patient. Soon, the scaffolding can degrade, leaving the patient a flawless new organ. In just months, we will be able to heal patients. Next, Presumed Consent. According to, 2010; Gale Group Databases, a possible way to eliminate the organ shortage is to "presume consent" Unless they indicated their refusal beforehand; their organs will be used for the good of humanity. This means… This preserves the value of transplantation as a social good, with no one included or excluded on the basis of financial status. Therefore: There are alternatives to financial incentives that will promote donations.