Titmuss revisited: from tax credits to markets

J Med Ethics. 2012 Aug;38(8):461-2. doi: 10.1136/medethics-2012-100505. Epub 2012 Mar 12.

Abstract

Petersen and Lippert-Rasmussen argue that persons who decide to be organ donors should receive a tax break, and then defend their view against eight possible objections. However, they misunderstand the Titmuss-style concerns that might be raised against their proposal. This does not mean that it should be rejected, but, instead, that when it is reconfigured to meet the Titmuss-style charges against it, they should support legalizing markets in human organs rather than merely offering tax breaks to encourage their donation.

MeSH terms

  • Capitation Fee* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Humans
  • Motivation
  • Patient Selection
  • Policy Making
  • Tax Exemption*
  • Tissue Donors* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement / economics*
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement / legislation & jurisprudence
  • United States