Ethical Issues

Pros

• The sick child can be saved.
• The parents and children will be happy to have their sibling.
• If the donations are successful, the donor child is treated just like any other child, sometimes better than the sick sibling.
• The siblings often feel closer to each other after finding out that the donor child saved the sick one's life.

Cons

• The donor child is often harmed.
• The donor child's life is often changed for good and debilitated.
• If the donations are unsuccessful, at least 1/3 of parents have problems with blaming the donor child.
• The donor child may feel unwanted, or just like spare parts.
• The donor child may resent the sick sibling, thinking that it's only because of them that they are here.