Advocates of paid living kidney donation frequently argue that kidney sellers would benefit from paid donation under a properly regulated kidney market. The poor outcomes experienced by participants in existing markets are often entirely attributed to harmful black-market practices. This article reviews the medical and anthropological literature on the physical, psychological, social, and financial harms experienced by vendors under Iran's regulated system of donor compensation and black markets throughout the world and argues that this body of research not only documents (...) significant harms to vendors, but also provides reasons to believe that such harms would persist under a regulated system. This does not settle the question of whether or not a regulated market should be introduced, but it does strengthen the case against markets in kidneys while suggesting that those advocating such a system cannot appeal to the purported benefits to vendors to support their case. (shrink)

Supporting the view that ethics can be taught, this paper will explore the frequent lack of a philosophical foundation in scientific training and its impact on a course on ‘Science and ethics.’ The incidence of cases of misconduct by scientists engaged in basic research led the United States to establish the Office of Research Integrity. Their publication, “Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research” covers the ethical conduct of research and defines misconduct as fabrication, falsification and plagiarism. Concern for breach (...) of public trust with repercussions in scientific funding has led to mandates courses in ethics for students training for scientific research careers. Having concentrated their course work in laboratory-based science, these students have less familiarity with philosophy and consequently struggle with the ethical reasoning aspects of a course in science and ethics. Discovery of a therapeutic drug or device opens a complex web of regulations by Food and Drug Administration for the ethical use of human subjects. Again the ethical system is one of rules and conduct based norms without foundational philosophical support for the ethical principles used in the guidelines. Rules of law reflect corrective action. Engaging students in case studies helps alert them to potential ethical dilemmas and invites them to explore why one action is right, good or better than an alternative. Narrative ethics provides a human presence to competing and compelling claims, the intersection of which is the ethical issue and concept. Dissection narratives help students explore how ethics can be taught and learned in a pluralistic society and remain relevant to the field of expertise they have chosen. The challenge lies in finding the best methods for teaching ethics in a particular discipline. Is there a code of ethics that applies crossculturally and across disciplines? Early and often should be the mantra of teaching ethics throughout the development of the individual and emergent professional. (shrink)