What ethical dilemmas could result from financially compensating “donors” and research participants for donating blood, eggs, sperm, or other biological materials? At what point could compensation become coercive?
Donors can use the money they get from donating to cover their financial needs instead of a job. Financial compensation is legal in only a few countries; the U.S. is one of those countries. Most plasma collection centers are in “skid row” cities, though some are popping up in middle-class areas. Many Mexicans cross the border, legally, to donate blood at various centers. The donation provides extra money to help their little salaries at factories. They don’t care what their blood will be used for as long as they get paid. Many do not get sufficient nutrition because they can’t afford it, and they would feel lightheaded after donating. Lightheadedness is the worst short-term effect recorded. Long-term effects have not been tested, so what may happen to people donating so much is unknown. Compensation can become coercive when payment becomes high. People will want to donate and get their money for the research on their body parts. Someone will sue for a higher share of the money, especially when these industries make a lot of money and only pay donor $20 to $30. The high payoff and risks involved are prime targets for suing the companies, but no one has sued because no one has gotten a disease from donating blood. (Andrew)
Skloot, R. (2010). The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Crown. Pollack, Andrew. "Is Money Tainting the Plasma Supply?" The New York Times. The New York Times, 05 Dec. 2009. Web. 19 Jan. 2015.
Donors can use the money they get from donating to cover their financial needs instead of a job. Financial compensation is legal in only a few countries; the U.S. is one of those countries. Most plasma collection centers are in “skid row” cities, though some are popping up in middle-class areas. Many Mexicans cross the border, legally, to donate blood at various centers. The donation provides extra money to help their little salaries at factories. They don’t care what their blood will be used for as long as they get paid. Many do not get sufficient nutrition because they can’t afford it, and they would feel lightheaded after donating. Lightheadedness is the worst short-term effect recorded. Long-term effects have not been tested, so what may happen to people donating so much is unknown. Compensation can become coercive when payment becomes high. People will want to donate and get their money for the research on their body parts. Someone will sue for a higher share of the money, especially when these industries make a lot of money and only pay donor $20 to $30. The high payoff and risks involved are prime targets for suing the companies, but no one has sued because no one has gotten a disease from donating blood. (Andrew)
ReplyDeleteSkloot, R. (2010). The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Crown.
Pollack, Andrew. "Is Money Tainting the Plasma Supply?" The New York Times. The New York Times, 05 Dec. 2009. Web. 19 Jan. 2015.