Alexander Berger Case Study

An example of someone who is in favor of selling organs would be a twenty one year old named Alexander Berger. Alexander Berger bravely decided to donate one of his organs, his kidney, to an individual he has never met before. While Alexander Berger went through this process, he claims that he spent a total of three days in the hospital and took a couple weeks off from his work to recover. This example of Alexander Berger is very essential to this topic because it gives the viewpoint of the donor and why this black market should be legal. Berger believes that an individual, specifically a donor, who has taken the time to go through this organ transplantation process should receive some sort of payment is necessary. Berger claims that the

First off, Berger states that this kidney transplant helped extend the precipitant’s life by at least ten years. This statement suggests that the harm the precipitant was in has been reduced. Since there is minimal harm being done, the ethical principle that is being demonstrated is non-maleficence. Secondly, another statement Berger makes is that the cost of this organ transplant is less than the cost of another treatment. Berger is taking into consideration the ethical principle of beneficence. The ethical principle of beneficence demonstrates that the benefits would outweigh the risks and costs. He is suggesting that the cost and benefits of obtaining an organ would exceed the costs and benefits if one were to choose a dialysis treatment. In continuation, another ethical principle that is explored through Berger’s statements is respect for autonomy. He examines this idea by stating that the patient and donor both have the right to do what they desire with their body. If the donor wants to receive a transplant that individual has the permission to allow it to happen. This type of approval is important because it gives the individual the respect of making decisions. Lastly, Berger mentions that allowing organ sales would most likely decrease the number of individuals who need organs because money as a payment would be a good encouragement for the individuals who are willing and able to sell their organs. This is a demonstration of another ethical principle called justice. Justice is an ethical principle that takes into account the pros and cons of a certain situation. For example, if the organ sale was legal, it is most likely that there would be an increase in donors. Since there would be an increase in donors, one who is seeking an organ would have a high chance of finding a match. Therefore more patients would not have to wait and there could be an increase in the lives