Ethics of Organ Sales and Health Care

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Questions and Answers

What constitutes an argument, according to the provided text?

Positions that are only discussed in academic settings.

Any action or statement that presents a position or viewpoint. (correct)

Statements that are always controversial.

Only written or spoken statements that clearly express a position.

What is one example of an 'overt position'?

Displaying a yellow smiley face.

A position that is implied but not directly stated.

Wearing a yellow ribbon.

Stating that everyone is entitled to affordable health care. (correct)

According to the provided text, what is a characteristic of arguable positions?

They are typically facts and rarely opinions.

They are always correct and undisputed arguments.

People of goodwill can disagree with them and provide reasons for their positions. (correct)

They are never disputed by others.

What topic does Joanna MacKay argue for in her essay, as mentioned in the text?

The legal sale of human organs. Signup and view all the answers

According to the information, what is a major advantage of acquiring a kidney through unregulated sources?

The recipient does not have to wait on a long list. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary motivation for individuals in third-world countries to sell their kidneys?

The urgent need for money to cover basic necessities and debt Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point of the counterargument about the morality of selling organs?

Morality is based on the perspective of the affluent and may not align with those in poverty. Signup and view all the answers

What does the text argue the healthy and affluent cannot assume about the poor in third-world countries?

That they share the same moral standards and values about organ sales. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is presented as a key factor that would improve organ donation if it were legalized?

Government regulated monitoring and an educational process for potential donors. Signup and view all the answers

What is one argument presented against the legalization of organ sales?

It could be argued as exploitative of impoverished people. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential benefit of legalizing the kidney trade mentioned in the content?

Lower costs for doctors Signup and view all the answers

What amount could a donor potentially receive if organ sales were legalized?

$25,000 Signup and view all the answers

What concern do critics have regarding the lawful sale of organs?

Controlling it would be too difficult Signup and view all the answers

How does the current illegal kidney market impact buyers, according to the content?

They have no recourse if something goes wrong Signup and view all the answers

What historical example is mentioned to support the argument for legalization of organ sales?

Prohibition of alcohol Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about the motivations of individuals engaging in illegal kidney sales?

They are forced to act out of necessity Signup and view all the answers

What would legalization of organ sales allow government authorities to do?

Closely monitor live kidney operations Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Arguing a Position

Arguments can be overt ("Everyone in the United States is entitled to affordable health care") or less direct ("yellow ribbons honoring U.S. troops.")
Essays arguing a position are common in college courses (e.g., interpreting a poem, arguing for a flat tax).
This type of writing requires supporting reasons and evidence.

Organ Sales and Saving Lives

Joanna MacKay, an MIT student, argues for the legalization of organ sales.
Thousands of people are dying waiting for organ transplants.
Governments should regulate, not ban, organ sales to save lives.
Dialysis is a harsh, expensive, and temporary treatment for kidney failure.
Kidney transplantation is a safer and more reliable treatment.
The wait for cadaveric kidneys is often very long (over 10 years in the US).
The black market for kidneys allows for faster transplants but is dangerous and unregulated.
A living donor's kidney can last longer than a cadaveric kidney.
There is a surplus of potential kidney donors in impoverished areas.
Risks associated with organ donation are similar to other risky behaviors, like dangerous sports or jobs.
The practice of refusing to allow people to sell organs for financial reasons is immoral when considering the alternative of death.
Legalizing organ sales can benefit everyone involved.
Doctors and surgeons benefit financially in an open market, patients receive a new kidney, and the donor benefits financially.
The donor's motivation is less likely to be altruism alone, but instead the monetary gain.
Critics argue that legalizing organ sales would exploit the impoverished.
However, the current ban doesn't stop the illegal trade, which continues to disproportionately affect the poor.
A regulated system could ensure fair compensation for donors, and incorporate education into the process.
Regulation can increase safety for buyers and sellers.
Regulation could allow for significant financial benefits for the donor. These benefits would offset the financial burdens of medical care in developing nations.
Current obstacles are not solved by further criminalizing the sale but are actually solved by regulation ensuring safe practices for all involved.
The moral obligation to help others, particularly the poor, should outweigh concerns about the "dignity of the human person."

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Description

This quiz explores the argument for legalizing organ sales as presented by Joanna MacKay. It examines the current issues surrounding organ transplants, the waiting time for cadaveric kidneys, and the ethical implications of a regulated market for organ sales. Test your understanding of these critical issues in health care and ethics.