PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - McLachlan, H V TI - The unpaid donation of blood and altruism: a comment on Keown. AID - 10.1136/jme.24.4.252 DP - 1998 Aug 01 TA - Journal of Medical Ethics PG - 252--256 VI - 24 IP - 4 4099 - http://jme.bmj.com/content/24/4/252.short 4100 - http://jme.bmj.com/content/24/4/252.full SO - J Med Ethics1998 Aug 01; 24 AB - In line with article 3.4 of EC directive 89/381, Keown has presented an ethical case in support of the policy of voluntary, unpaid donation of blood. Although no doubt is cast on the desirability of the policy, that part of Keown's argument which pertains to the suggested laudability of altruism and of its encouragment by social policy is examined and shown to be dubious.