Ethical Considerations About Three Incentive Models Based on Research in Chicago

This chapter draws upon existing literature and the analysis in the two previous chapters to address issues around adopting different incentives in the United States. Through current studies and interviews, the research demonstrates that suitable incentives not only motivate the act of donation but also generate positive influences on donors and their families, as well as of the image of organ donation. The positive influences arise from the ethical practices and practicalities to implement the incentives. Honorary incentives that operate in Chicago illustrate that the public has taken donation as an act to foster the common good. In addition, the decision to donate without receiving any compensation or priorities in return brings long-term peace to donor families as well as strengthening the culture of altruistic organ donation. This chapter illustrates why and how compensationalist and familist incentives run the risk of undermining the honorary positive influence in the long run while highlighting the importance of designing contextualized incentives.