Plasma International and Blood Plasma Transfusions - Case Study Example

IntroductionPlasma International is an organization that deals in blood plasma transfusions and manufacturing of plasma pharmaceutical related products. There has been criticism in the way Plasma International operates by selling donated blood for free making big profits out of it. In the article above ‘plasma project,” the writer airs his views concerning plasma international’s buying blood for 90cents per pint and selling it to the hospitals at $150 per pint. T his is the same blood that at times is freely donated (Von & ebrary, Inc. 2004).The writer’s viewThe writer views that Plasma international are unethical because the donors give it freely.

Blood most especially the one provided through donations by third world countries at a low price should not be sold back to them at exorbitant prices. Blood should be available to anyone at any time without charge or obligation because donors don’t gain preference over non-donors.My positionI don’t agree with the writer because human blood, just like any other human body part should come at a price. People pay to replace their kidneys, arms, eyes knees even heart valves. Just like blood other body parts are as important so I don’t see why when it comes to donation of blood it should be different.

Just because blood comes from human who can continuously produce more, doesn’t mean one ca collect it freely(Zimmer.Preston n.d) There are many things involved before, during and after someone is transfused with blood that are costly. Starting with purchasing needles, collection bags, sterilizers, vacuum containers, equipments for laboratory testing to verify the purity of the blood. Medical practitioners as well as the supplies they use like lab coats, latex gloves, and protective equipments need to be purchased.

Also, transportation cost from the donor to recipient should not be left out. According to me, it’s not unethical if the company keeps price to receive donor blood affordable to the recipient. And as long as it operates legally, it’s fine with me. After all medicine nowadays is profit generating as any other. Existence of blood market does not threaten the right to donate freely (Zimmer.Preston (n.d)PresuppositionThere is facts that contradict my argument, the fact that marketing threatens all rights to receive freely donated blood.

The commercialization of blood discourages voluntary blood donors; someone will be reluctant to donate freely knowing very well that someone will be financially profitable out of it (Paying donors and the ethics of blood supply. n.d.). Still, it seems likely that when suppliers get paid, the would-be non-cash donor losses the sense that their contribution is necessary (Güceri, Fridman & North Atlantic Treaty Organization, 2008). Blood from paid donors is more likely to transmit blood related diseases like hepatitis B, aids among others than the one from voluntary donors.

There is a risk of illegal markets emerging; desperate demands for blood have hickened illegal acquisition of the product. Voluntary donors also need to be assured that even if there is cash blood their own is vital and will not be on sale(CBC News. 2013 ).Conclusion From this essay, we deduce that the measures used to pay donors either voluntary or not should be stated to them before transfusion. One should know from the start if the blood he is giving is for sale or not. Even if a company has to meet operational costs, they have to be fair with selling the blood.

The recipient has to afford the cost blood and operation. Finally, relying on volunteer donors’ means tolerating blood and plasma shortages, companies will be obligated to call for more paid donors to meet the demand.ReferenceCBC News. (2013, May 7). Paying for Blood Plasma Raises New QuestionsZimmer, T., & Preston, P. (n.d.). Plasma projectPaying donors and the ethics of blood supply. (n.d.). Journal of Medical EthicVon, H. D., & ebrary, Inc. (2004). Thermal Spray 2004: Advances In Technology and Application, Proceedings of the International Thermal Spray Conference.

Materials Park: A S M International.NATO Advanced Study Institute on Plasma Assisted Decontamination of Biological and Chemical Agents, Güceri, S. I., Fridman, A. A., & North Atlantic Treaty Organization. (2008). Plasma assisted decontamination of biological and chemical agents. Dordrecht: Springer.