Should organ markets be legalized to reduce transplant shortages?

The proposal to legalize organ markets as a way to address transplant shortages is one of the most complex and controversial questions in modern bioethics. Across the world, thousands of patients die every year waiting for kidneys, livers, or hearts that never become available. Current systems typically rely on altruistic donation, either from deceased donors or living relatives, but supply rarely meets demand. Legalizing organ markets would mean creating a regulated system where individuals could sell organs—most often kidneys, since humans have two—potentially reducing waitlists and saving lives. The debate touches on issues of ethics, economics, and human rights. Advocates argue that a regulated market could bring transparency, increase supply, and prevent the exploitation already happening in illegal black markets. They see it as a way to align incentives while protecting both donors and recipients. Critics counter that commodifying human body parts risks exploiting the poor, creating inequality in access, and undermining the principle that healthcare should not be determined by wealth. Historically, organ markets have been banned under international law, though some models—such as Iran’s regulated kidney program—are often cited as case studies. This raises broader questions about whether prohibition has truly prevented abuse, or whether carefully monitored legalization could provide a safer alternative.