In 1993, the Gallup Organization conducted a comprehensive survey to determine American attitudes toward organ donation. One finding was that 25% of respondents were not likely to donate their own organs, and 6% did not know whether they would donate their organs.
Of the 25% who were unlikely to donate their organs, nearly half were unable to provide a concrete reason for their position. Gallup speculated that those who could not provide a good reason for their anti-donor stance may be convinced to become organ donors. But the other side of the coin remains unexamined. Namely, how many pro-donation individuals may be persuaded, given all the facts, not to be organ donors? Other Gallup questions revealed that only 42% had made a personal decision on whether to donate their organs, and 75% were undecided on whether or not to donate family members' organs. A large majority, therefore, might be influenced by arguments against the current system of procuring and allocating organs.
There are many reasons why an individual may be opposed to organ donation, including the lack of financial incentives. According to Gallup, 12% of respondents said that financial incentives would make them more likely to donate organs, 5% said that organ donation was against their religion, and 17% felt that it is important for a person's body to have all of its parts when buried. It should be noted that financial incentives are much more important to minority respondents, who generally have lower incomes.
Many Americans feel that those whose organs have deteriorated as a result of unhealthy lifestyles should not qualify for organ transplants. For example, alcoholism is the leading cause of liver failure in the United States. The average liver transplant costs around $400,000, including five years of follow-up care. Needless to say, it is usually the taxpayers and insurance policy holders who foot the bill for such self-destructive behavior. Should we raise the national debt by $400,000 to provide an alcoholic a new liver? Should insurance premiums go up another $320,000 to replace a heavy smoker's damaged heart?
