Master in Food Ethics and Law

UNESCO Chair in Bioethics

Contact

  • Bioethics and Law Observatory
  • UNESCO Chair in Bioethics
  • University of Barcelona
  • Faculty of Law
  • Ave. Diagonal, 684
  • 08034 Barcelona
  • (+34) 93 403 45 46
  • obd.ub@ub.edu
  •  
  • Master in Bioethics and Law
  • (+34) 93 403 45 46
  • master.bd@ub.edu

 

"Is It Ethical to Reduce Prison Sentences in Exchange for Organ Donation?"

The Hastings Center

A bill filed in the Massachusetts House of Representatives on January 20 would allow prisoners who choose to donate organs or bone marrow for transplantation to be eligible for reduced sentences. The bill stipulates that the sentence reduction would be at least 60 days and no greater than one year. Is such a policy ethical? For the sake of this essay, I will address this question with respect to donation of a single kidney.