Abstract
This article normatively discusses two moral theories namely: Ubuntu and Deontology, with the aim of arguing against the practice of organ transplant trade. It is argued that this practice violates a rule of categorical imperative which states that human beings should not be used as the means, but always be treated as ends into themselves. Organ transplant trade also affects negatively the process of informed consent of vulnerable people who may overlook the risks in trading of organs and focus only on the monetary incentives. This article is based on non-empirical research which employs the method of critical and conceptual analysis with a review of existing literatures on the subject. Therefore, this article addresses the following question: do people have ownership of their bodily parts to an extent that they can autonomously sell them to make a living? This question is answered by concluding that the upholding of moral duties of human beings eliminates all human acts that violate the notion of human dignity.
Highlights
The issue of ownership regarding human organs and autonomy raises vexing issues in bioethics
The practice of organ transplant trade may affect one’s mental competence and autonomy in a sense that the seller mainly focuses on the end results rather than focusing much attention on the risks that are likely to follow from that practice
It is argued that deontology through its rules of categorical imperative rejects the practice of organ trade because the intrinsic human dignity of human beings is priceless
Summary
The issue of ownership regarding human organs and autonomy raises vexing issues in bioethics. In this article, it is argued that the life of a human being is sacrosanct and dignified to an extent that it cannot be used as a commodity because in this way, human beings will be treated like mere objects that have price. This practice compromises the element of informed consent in medical procedures, because vulnerable individuals (poor people) will be attracted to sell. This article normatively discusses two moral theories namely, Ubuntu as an African moral theory and Deontology against the practice of organ transplant trade. While actions like trading of human organs are deemed to demean the dignity of the human being and such actions should not be practiced
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