Roth (2007) on Repugnance

Alvin E. Roth, “Repugnance as a Constraint on Markets.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 21(3): 37-58, Summer 2007.

• Repugnance often presents a real limit on what types of markets can be implemented; in this sense, repugnance is like resource and incentive constraints. 

• Arguments focusing on the gains to trade have little traction against repugnance of kidney sales. 

• Sometimes repugnance is combined with concerns about negative externalities, addiction, or hidden coercion. 

• Closely related activities can differ substantially on the repugnance scale: dwarf-tossing (often repugnant) v. wife-carrying (often acceptable). The set of transactions that are viewed as repugnant changes over time. [Maybe those kidney sales are becoming less repugnant, too.]

• Sometimes the transactions themselves, as gifts, are not repugnant, but adding money makes them so; many people who object to kidney sales find kidney donation to be admirable.