Legalization Of Organ Sales

Defining Criminal Some activities categorized as crimes have changed over the years. For instance, during prohibition era, consumption of alcohol was considered a crime. Today, consuming alcohol is not a crime but parameters have been set to encourage responsible consumption. There has been open debate related to the buying, selling, or trading of organs. Some in support of allowing the buying, selling, or trading of organs believe that those actions should not be considered criminal activity. Those for the ban of selling human organs stand behind morals among other reasoning’s as to why it should be illegal. This continued debate across the globe has yielded no change in legislation in the US toward legalizing organ sales. This lack of change …show more content…
By the definition presented, if the broker conducted the transaction justly with the purpose of supplying the needs for both the seller and buyer without any profiteering, the actions would not be considered crimes. “It strikes me that careful engagement in financial arrangements for kidneys is far less distasteful than allowing people to suffer and die” (Satel, 2006, para. 11). Many have adopted the position that organ sales should not be considered illegal. Many still think that organ sales should always be illegal. Satel (2006) feels that “free, informed, and willing individuals should be able to participate in a regulated exchange involving valuable consideration” (para. 16). The difference in point of views on defining if the buying, selling, or trading of human organs should be illegal or not boils down to moral views. Morality is the great divide and personal views define moral values for each. As I have previously stated, morality can be defined as complying to rules for proper conduct and honorable behavior. “Yet as death and suffering mount, constructing a market-based incentive program to increase the supply of transplantable organs has become a moral imperative” (Satel, 2006, para. 31). Saving lives should be honorable behavior and proper conduct for all. Conducting in the buying or selling of organs, in any position whether it be a broker, …show more content…
The black market magnifies avenues to exploit others therefor magnifying criminal activity. Because of this fact, any activity regarding the sale of human organs are seen as not only illegal by law but morally unjust, deeming it illegal on moral standards. In different scenarios where the broker was under federal regulations, his actions could be deemed legal and just. With facts such as the small amount of available organs compared to those in need of organs, activity regarding procuring organs by way of monetary value should be considered legal. Moral values are important in outlining what should be categorized as legal or illegal activity. The height of anyone’s moral compass should be the value of life for all. If actions committed are providing a better life for others without exploiting or hurting anyone else, those actions should be defined as legal. Through regulation, brokers, buyers, and sellers can conduct transaction that can be legal in all aspects. Legislation change is needed for that to become a reality. This legislation would also help lower crimes around organ sales such as the broker in New York and the Mexican cartel in Mexico. Defining illegal activity is up to laws and Americas moral compos. For now, all activity conducted in selling, trading, or buying organs is illegal, but should it be