In this article I will use the normative theory of utilitarianism as the best defensible approach to increasing organ donations. Utilitarianism is a theory that seeks to increase the greatest good for the greatest number of people (Pense2007, 61). The utilitarian theory is the best approach because it maximizes adult organ donations (which are the greatest good) so that the number of lives saved increases along with the quality of life and saves time and money. A utilitarian would argue that organ donations save lives because when citizens continue to donate their organs, more lives are spared. Gregory Pence mentioned in his book titled “Classic Works in Medical Ethics” that three thousand Americans lose their lives waiting for an organ transplant. However, if organ donations became prevalent, they would save or extend some lives in America (Pense, 2007, 75). For example, the risk of a kidney transplant ending in death or disability ranges from three to ten thousand and compared to liposuction the risks are relatively the same (Pense, 2007, 62). A utilitarian would argue that people prefer to help themselves through liposuction instead of helping others. Other theorists such as Kant fail to realize that the experience of organ donation outweighs the potential harm to the donor (Pense, 2007, 62). Adult organ donations can be taken from recently deceased people. This means that there is no physical harm or risk to the person donating the organ. However, doctors' use of organs donated by recently deceased people to save many lives would have good consequences for the population receiving the organs. The chance of successful organ donation is greater than the negative outcome (Pense 2007, p ...... half of the paper ...... the individual's self-interest would be reduced because the possibility of taking action would be exercised when the organ the donor has recently passed away, then taking an organ from the donor would no longer be used to satisfy one's ego. Works Cited Cohen, Carl Benjamin, Martin, Ann “Alcoholics and Liver Transplantation” Philosophical Readings, ed Gregory E. Pence, 247-261 New York: McGraw-Hill, 1998. Mulgan, Tim. Understanding Utilitarianism. Stocksfield: Acumen, 2007. Pence, Gregory E. “Kant's Critique of Organ Donation in Adults.” . New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007. Sinnott-Armstrong, Walter, “Consequentialism,” The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2011 edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL forthcoming. = .