Blog Prompt 9:

Should organ sales be legal? Give the Kantian argument. Do you agree? Where would a utilitarian stand?

After viewing the film “Dirty Pretty Things“, I wanted to say right away that organs shouldn’t be sold legally due to many reasons. The practice was poorly done by those who made the incisions into the body; leaving the patient in a poor state of health. Given that these people weren’t even professionals was more alarming as well. Even if the patients gained money to live a better life, how long would that life last if the surgery left them for dead or more in danger of health risks? The film showed how the women were rendered defenseless against the men with power. Many of the men seemed to have abused their power in order for sexual favors of the women. This is another reason I wanted to point out, although both sides of the transaction gain something it isn’t right that the side with the leverage abuses their power for more than what they agree. It’s an example of exploitation.

Kantian argues against organ selling for the fact that it is abuse towards the one’s body. It disrespects the human body as a whole and puts a price on it when he believes that it’s wrong. The price of the organ is a selfish tactic. Kantian is against exploitation of humans, he is all for humanity and respecting one another. But Kant could also be seen from a yes point of view. Meaning that Kant would agree to this idea if it means that it’s protecting a life. As well as the idea that the person can use their body with all the freedom that they desire.

However, after speaking in a group collaboration I realized that in the end organ sales should be legal. If it is to be done the right way in a hospital with experts with minimized health risks. In the film the character Señor Juan came from a utilitarian point of view, but he had it all wrong. He perceived himself to be a hero helping those in need when in reality he did it for his own selfish reasons. In a utilitarian stand, both sides gain happiness through this course of action. The person receiving the organ gains their life back and the person selling their organ gains money to live better off. This transaction would lessen the overall donor list and decrease the illegal businesses. This act would then be the idea of helping others which Utility advocates. Although, reasons it would be against utility would be the fact that selling your organ could potentially hurt them in the long run. Meaning say you donate your kidney, you’re giving away one of your filtration systems in the human body. With that your immunity could lessen, there could be dietary restrictions due to the fact that your body isn’t performing at it’s best. There is also the possibility that the organ sold could be rejected in the patient’s body and the transaction wouldn’t be completed.

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