In class we discussed the issues around organ donation, and how to create more.
ID: 95737 • Letter: I
Question
In class we discussed the issues around organ donation, and how to create more. Another form of donation that is increasingly common is gamete donation (i.e. ovum and sperm donation). Ovum donation is a complex procedure requiring several months of evaluation and medical intervention (https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_donation#Procedure). Sperm donation by a healthy male does not require any evaluation or medical intervention. Both types of donors can be compensated monetarily. Please answer the questions below (make sure to justify your answers by indicating how they uphold or violate the ethical tenets outline in lecture). 3a. What is ethically different about gamete donation that allows for monetary compensation? 3b. While sperm donation is relatively common, ovum donation is not. An alternate source of ovum is from recently deceased individuals. If a person specifically indicates that they would like to donate their ovum postmortem, is it ethically justifiable to harvest them? 3c. In the case above (3b), if during preparation of harvesting of the ovum it is found that an individual has an implantable contraceptive indicating that they did not want to have children, is the harvesting postmortem still justified? 3d. In the case above (3c), if the ovum can be genetically modified after donation such that it no longer has the genetic traits of the donor, is the donation justified? Does this bring up an new ethical dilemmas?Explanation / Answer
3a) The recipient in organ donation is in diseased state or unhealthy. But, in gamete donation the recipient is healthy. Actually the recipient in gamete donation can be considered as a consumer. Therefore, monetary compensation can be provided for gamete donation.
3b) It is ethically correct to harvest egg, if a woman gives a willful consent for egg donation after her death.
3c) Even in the presence of contraceptive device harvesting egg after death of a woman if she had already given consent is ethically correct.
3d) If the ovum has to be genetically modified after postmortem harvesting of eggs, then the egg donation is not ethically correct. The woman might have wished to have her biological children and therefore if the ovum undergoes genetic modifications, then it is ethically not correct.
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