Saturday, July 14, 2007
Question of the Day
Should it be lawful to voluntary sell one's organs (e.g. a kidney, a lung, an eye) to people in need of organ transplants?
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15 comments:
I think it should be legal, only is the donating is detached from giving to a specific person. Ie, you shouldn't be allowed to sell your kidney to the highest bidder - just for a standard price to a hospital/whatever. Otherwise, only those who can afford to pay for them could receive transplants, and that seems rather unjust!
By the way John, I've really been enjoying all your CPE related posts. Some of your best posts, I think.
I agree with Elizabeth, I don't see a problem with someone selling a kidney or part of their liver or something else. But I do also worry about the eBay mentality of selling to a high bidder.
Something else that Elizabeth said kinda hit me in the side of the head as well.
...only those who can afford to pay for them could receive transplants, and that seems rather unjust!
Isn't that the hospital/insurance system that we have now? I mean, is an uninsured, lower end income person really going to be able to pay for kidney or liver transplant if they need one, or the followup care and drugs that are required?
My wife has the idea that organ sales should be available, but only to a government regulatory agency for a fixed price -- no bidding.
Beth, I'm flattered that you've enjoyed my CPE posts. If only I could share everything that I've experienced! I could give you an earful.
I think it should be legal, but regulated and not at the highest bidder. If someone wanted to sell a kidney or bone marrow that matches someone in need and they want to sell it, that is fine if its regulated. If it were an Ebay mentality, I would hate to see what would occur.
No. No sell -- compensate, but not sell. A splitting of hairs, I know.
I don't not think selling organs in that way should be legal. It would invariably discriminate against the poor, who would feel compelled to sell organs for all the wrong reasons.
A strong argument can also be made that buying and selling organs denigrates the body as God's creation and the temple of the Holy Spirit. Taking the organs of a deceased person or donating an organ out of charity is one thing. Engaging in buying and selling of organs as a form of commerce is something different altogether.
And John, I've deeply appreciated and enjoyed your CPE-related posts as well.
If the organs that are being sold are non-vital organs, but simply quality of life transplants, how would it be ethically different from prostitution? I generally hate slippery-slope arguments, but if one could sell parts of one body, then why couldn't one...um..."rent"...other parts?
I am with reverend mommy. Compensation for lost time and covering of costs I can make an argument for. But only on an reimbursement basis of legitimate costs. NOt selling of organs.
I believe once it is OK for a flat fee it will soon become a reality that bidding wars come up.
I am not even all that keen on "designated donations".
No...for Andrew's reasons and also the ethical "slippery slope" we'd quickly be sliding down.
Organs should be a gift from the heart...I mean a gift from the giver. The process can be compromised otherwise.
Put me in the no camp as well for any and all of the reasons cited above.
Respectfully,
Joseph
As someone who has actually been a transplant donor (bone marrow)I have very strong feelings in this area. For living donors, (e.g. bone marrow, kidney, partial liver) cover expenses only. The act of giving is more than enough reward.
For those who are brain dead, it would be reasonable to waive or cover the last 24-48 hrs of hospital care expenses. This would benefit the family without the possiility of abuse (i.e. new car for selling Aunt Millie's kidney).
**For what it is worth, the child to whom I donated bone marrow 7 yrs ago is comming here to visit for a week. He & his grandmother arrive Thursday. I'm going to take him flying, we're going to Dollywood, etc. It seems that the Lord has already paid me a full measure, heaped up and packed down.**
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