
A number of people have recommended an experiment-based approach to incentive systems for living organ donation. They propose “test runs” of various schemes for incentivizing donation, followed by an evaluation of the effects of each scheme, with the aim of identifying systems with optimal outcomes. This experimental approach is presented as necessary for obtaining an empirical basis for assessing these various incentive systems. I suggest that aspects of this experiment are already present in the context of oocyte donation. In some respects, then, oocyte donation provides a “test run” incentive system whose outcomes we ought to study. Consequently, I draw lessons from that case. I begin with an overview of background precedent and current practices related to incentives in living organ donation and oocyte donation, identify proposed incentive systems for living organ donation which are similar to incentive systems in oocyte donation, respond to some possible objections which claim that egg donation incentives might not be useful as a comparison, and conclude with three lessons we might draw from the context of oocyte donation. First, it may be immensely challenging to identify an appropriate financial amount to use for incentivizing donation. Second, we need a robust framework of ensuring compliance with the incentive system. Third, we need to keep in view that vulnerable populations are those most powerfully motivated by financial incentives. Studying the way we incentivize egg donation might serve to instruct our evaluation of proposals to incentivize living organ donation. In response to those who claim that we need to “try out” incentive structures for living organ donation, I reply that the trial is already underway, and we would do well to pay attention and see what we might learn.