Is plasma a common good? Some medical and academic thoughts

Abstract

Blood transfusion has been around for over a century and, since its origins and rapid development during World War I, has been based on solidarity and humanity. Blood donation has not always been entirely without benefit to the donor, as compensation has historically been provided some time, but since World War II, not only voluntariness but also the non-profit nature of the process for donors, institutions, and governments has been the basis of modern transfusion process. Can blood and transfusion be considered a common good of humanity? In this context, part of this sector does not meet these criteria, as the collection of plasma to make essential plasma-derived medicines has become industrialized, including collection, which is carried out according to a non-humanistic model, exposing donors to risks when they are often vulnerable. It is a for-profit activity. Under these conditions, can transfusion and plasma collection genuinely be considered a public good?