\n<\/p>\n
In contrast to purely paid donations, Singapore\u2019s approach of offering non-monetary incentives strikes a balance. It nudges more donors to come forward,\u00a0<\/span>while preserving the spirit of goodwill as altruists can redirect their compensation to charity.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Safety is not compromised either. Blood and plasma donation is highly regulated in Singapore; risks are minimised by medical screening, deferral intervals and volume limits.<\/p>\n The risk of incentivised donors hiding their medical background is addressed by universal nucleic-acid testing, behavioural questionnaires and donor deferral registries. Modern screening does not care whether a donor was rewarded; it cares whether the blood is safe.<\/p>\n Then there is the worry that compensating blood donors, especially vulnerable individuals, may involve coercion or exploitation. But coercion, properly understood, involves pressuring someone to do something against their interests.<\/p>\n Donating blood under medical supervision is not against a healthy adult\u2019s interests. It is a low-risk act that helps strangers, and now, modestly, helps the donor. Small incentives do not cloud judgement in a manner that constitutes undue influence. And donors are not exploited when the risks to them are properly controlled.<\/p>\n Singapore is right to incentivise blood donation \u2013 at home, transparently, and under its own ethical control \u2013 rather than risk importing moral compromise from abroad. Properly regulated incentives can save lives without compromising the safety of donors or recipients.<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n