NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
A person that receives an organ transplant almost always requires several complementary goods. One obvious good is the medical care received for the actual transplant and for follow-up doctor's visits. For most people who undergo an organ or tissue transplant the quality of their life and general overall health improves following the transplant. Persons who receive a transplant are frequently required to take a series of medications that suppress their immune system and prevent their body from rejecting the newly acquired organ. They often will need to undergo frequent medical visits and testing to monitor the transplanted organ. At times, the organ transplant will be unsuccessful and the organ may need to be removed.
These people will be placed back on the waiting list for another organ (Yoakam). Two more goods are the medication to prevent rejection and (assuming the patient has insurance) payments made by the patient's insurance company for the patient's care. The donor's family is not responsible for the costs incurred through organ donation. The recipient, most times through their insurance carrier or Medicare pays for all of the costs related to the donation of organs and tissue. If the "price" of organs increases (whether due to an increase in demand or decrease in supply) the demand for the complementary good will decrease.
The converse of a complementary good is a substitute good. In the organ market, a substitute good really depends on what organ is being considered. "People with diseased livers [are] particularly at risk because there is no medical alternative to transplantation for keeping a patient... alive. " The only two obvious substitute goods for a liver transplant would be extensive medical care and pain medications. On the other hand, someone with diseased kidneys has more options. One obvious option would be dialysis. But, when looked at as a whole, the organ market does have substitute goods.
If the "price" of organs increases (whether due to an increase in demand or decrease in supply) the demand for the substitute good will increase. Since the National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 prevents a monetary price from being placed on a donated organ, effective allocation mechanisms must be utilized. Allocation mechanisms must be accessed because the shortage of supply compared to the demand. In any market, allocation mechanisms rely on many factors but some include friendships, "under the table" payments, predicted profit, and personal biases. In the organ market, several allocation mechanisms come to mind. There is always the possibility that a particular patient has a family member or friend that is in the organ transplantation profession, and / or the family of the patient is able to "pay-off" someone in charge of the distribution of organs.
In reality, these two mechanisms are frowned upon for their "lack of morality. " One real possibility for an allocation mechanism is to make a "waiting list" on a first-come first-served basis. This method would only be for those who, in a panel of doctors' professional opinions, had a chance to survive after the transplant. In other words, those dying with cancer along with a diseased organ would not be on the list. During the week of April 14, 2000, National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, the President of the United States gave a proclamation. In this he stated, "To address this critical and growing need, Vice President Gore and Secretary of Health and Human Services Shall launched the National Organ and Tissue Donation Initiative in December of 1997.
This public-private partnership was designed to raise awareness of the success of organ and tissue transplant-tion and to educate our citizens about the urgent need for increased donation. Working with partners such as health care organiza-tions, estate planning attorneys, faith communities, educational organizations, the media, minority organizations, and business leaders, the Initiative is reaching out to Americans of all ages, backgrounds, and races, asking them to consider donation. In its first year alone, the Initiative made a measurable impact, as organ donation increased by 5. 6 percent. " Although morals can play a part in the organ market, economic principles are definitely present. All of the aforementioned material is based on ceteris paribus. Complementary and substitute goods are associated with the organ market. These goods, although varying with different organs, are affected by the "price" of organs just like any other market.
Since there is a shortage of supply compared to the demand, allocation mechanisms are necessary. Some of these mechanisms can be "morally bound. " Since a person's life is on the line in this market, any dead-weight loss at all is a serious matter. One can only hope this market is more concerned for life than it is for economic benefits. Works Cited Yoakam, Diane M. "Organ Donation: The Gift of Life. " 1999. web
Free research essays on topics related to: waiting list, organ, organ donation, organ transplant, medical care
Research essay sample on Organ Transplant Organ Donation
