Up to 70 percent of transplanted kidneys will probably fail over the next 10 years, but this poor long-term outlook could be vastly improved if donors were better matched to recipients. Finally, by increasing the supply of organs, the market mechanism will eventually bring the price of organs down, so more people will be able to afford them. Those who oppose the sale of human organs contend that society may have a duty to preserve life and relieve human suffering, but not by any means whatsoever. In particular, society should not adopt any practices that would create injustices or would violate the rights of individuals. Allowing organs to be bought and sold will do both.
Justice demands that every person have an equal right to life.
But if a market in organs were to develop, ability to pay would determine who could buy organs, while economic need would determine who would be motivated to sell their organs. The very wealthy would end up buyers of the organs being sold by the very poor. A market in organs would thus benefit the wealthy while putting pressures on the poor to endanger their own health. Such an unequal distribution of health benefits and burdens would be unjust. Moreover, individuals have a right to live their lives with freedom and dignity.