Anh Bui
Winter 2024 Capstone Project Title: The Social Injustices of Organ Marketification in the United States
Project Description: Over the past few decades, organ donations have become increasingly scarce. This shortage in organ supply has prompted an academic debate on the legalization of an organ market, which would allow for the purchase and sale of organs, rather than depending on donations. My paper discusses the risk of commodification and coercion in an organ market and explores the repercussions of marketification on healthcare in the United States. Drawing upon the principles of biomedical ethics, I contend that a U.S. organ market will disproportionately harm patients of low socioeconomic background.
The 1C06 Capstone experience: Although I intended to reimagine a reconstruction of U.S. healthcare, I quickly realized that such a massive undertaking would take much more than one semester. However, while reading the staggering amount of insightful scholarship in this area, I was particularly intrigued by the academic debate surrounding the organ market. Combining this newfound interest with my passion for healthcare, I set out to explore a particular ethical harm proposed by opponents of organ marketification. In the future, I look forward to pursuing further research into medical ethics and social injustices in healthcare.
Key Takeaways: Writing and learning are continuous processes. While working on my capstone project, I constantly replaced old ideas with new ones. I must have formulated at least a dozen research questions! I have no doubt that when I read my paper again in a few years, I will be able to devise even more ways to improve my writing. I am grateful for Dr. Sajed, Dr. Savelli, and Dr. Marquis, who have generously given myself and my peers many opportunities to seek their guidance and make valuable progress in both our writing and learning throughout ARTSSCI 1C06. It’s wonderful to think that Arts & Science at McMaster University will offer even more of such fulfilling experiences in the future!
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