Nudge, Nudge or Shove, Shove — The Right Way for Nudges to Increase the Supply of Donated Cadaver Organs

The American Journal of Bioethics, Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 31–38, 2012

8 Pages Posted: 17 Feb 2012

See all articles by Kyle Whyte

Kyle Whyte

University of Michigan

Evan Selinger

Rochester Institute of Technology - Department of Philosophy

Jathan Sadowski

Arizona State University (ASU)

Arthur Caplan

New York University (NYU) - Department of Population Health, Division of Medical Ethics

Date Written: February, 15 2012

Abstract

Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein (2008) contend that mandated choice is the most practical nudge for increasing organ donation. We argue that they are wrong, and their mistake results from failing to appreciate how perceptions of meaning can influence people’s responses to nudges. We favor a policy of default to donation that is subject to immediate family veto power, includes options for people to opt out (and be educated on how to do so), and emphasizes the role of organ procurement organizations and in-house transplant donation coordinators creating better environments for increasing the supply of organs and tissues obtained from cadavers. This policy will provide better opportunities for offering nudges in contexts where in-house coordinators work with families. We conclude by arguing that nudges can be introduced ethically and effectively into these contexts only if nudge designers collaborate with in-house coordinators and stakeholders.

Keywords: decision making, end-of-life issues, organ transplantation

Suggested Citation

Whyte, Kyle and Selinger, Evan and Sadowski, Jathan and Caplan, Arthur, Nudge, Nudge or Shove, Shove — The Right Way for Nudges to Increase the Supply of Donated Cadaver Organs (February, 15 2012). The American Journal of Bioethics, Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 31–38, 2012, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2005972

Kyle Whyte (Contact Author)

University of Michigan ( email )

440 Church Street
Dana Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
United States

Evan Selinger

Rochester Institute of Technology - Department of Philosophy ( email )

92 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623-5670
United States
(585) 475-2531 (Phone)

Jathan Sadowski

Arizona State University (ASU) ( email )

Farmer Building 440G PO Box 872011
Tempe, AZ 85287
United States

Arthur Caplan

New York University (NYU) - Department of Population Health, Division of Medical Ethics

227 East 30th St.
Office 722
New York, NY 10016
United States

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