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The Human and Economic Dimensions of Altruism: The Case of Organ Transplantation

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  • Richard A. Epstein

Abstract

This paper analyzes three issues critical to understanding the chronic shortage of organs. Section 2 develops a simple economic model of altruism that helps explain how markets with altruistic participants operate like ordinary economic markets but produce an equilibrium position in which more organs are transferred at lower cash prices. Section 3 examines and rejects the various arguments used to undermine the neoclassical arguments in the first section. Section 4 looks at ways to expand the supply of organs: directed donations within families and among friends, solicited organs via MatchingDonors.com, donor-recipient pairs, and LifeSharers. (c) 2008 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved.

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  • Richard A. Epstein, 2008. "The Human and Economic Dimensions of Altruism: The Case of Organ Transplantation," The Journal of Legal Studies, University of Chicago Press, vol. 37(2), pages 459-501, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlstud:v:37:y:2008:i:2:p:459-501
    DOI: 10.1086/589669
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gneezy, Uri & Rustichini, Aldo, 2000. "A Fine is a Price," The Journal of Legal Studies, University of Chicago Press, vol. 29(1), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Glaeser, Edward L. & Shleifer, Andrei, 2001. "Not-for-profit entrepreneurs," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 81(1), pages 99-115, July.
    3. Viscusi, W Kip, 1993. "The Value of Risks to Life and Health," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 31(4), pages 1912-1946, December.
    4. Alvin E. Roth, 2007. "Repugnance as a Constraint on Markets," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 21(3), pages 37-58, Summer.
    5. Kevin M. Murphy & Robert H. Topel, 2006. "The Value of Health and Longevity," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 114(5), pages 871-904, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Matthew J. Holian, 2011. "Using Drew Carey in the Classroom," Journal of Private Enterprise, The Association of Private Enterprise Education, vol. 26(Spring 20), pages 161-167.
    2. Hawley, Zackary & Li, Danyang & Schnier, Kurt & Turgeon, Nicole, 2018. "Can we increase organ donation by reducing the disincentives? An experimental analysis," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 128-137.
    3. repec:bla:ecinqu:v:51:y:2013:i:3:p:1696-1714 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Kurt E. Schnier & Robert M. Merion & Nicole Turgeon & David Howard, 2018. "Subsidizing Altruism In Living Organ Donation," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 56(1), pages 398-423, January.
    5. Jon Diesel, 2010. "Do Economists Reach a Conclusion on Organ Liberalization?," Econ Journal Watch, Econ Journal Watch, vol. 7(3), pages 320-336, September.

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