Human Organs For Sale?

[alaskaguy]

U.S. federal law bans the sale of human organs. However with the demand for kidney transplants far outstripping the number of donors, some economists are urging the adoption of market-based innovations to increase supply. I have linked a paper authored by economists Gary S. Becker and Julio Elias, who argue that monetary incentives are the most efficient way to boost the number of organs available for transplant, and should be introduced.

Link:
http://home.uchicago.edu/~gbecker/MarketforLiveandCadavericOrganDonations_Becker_Elias.pdf

 

[alarson]

We Got Us Some Medical Waste.....Y'all come on in!

 

[herbiedoobie]

Organ donation is roughly analogous to college athletics. Everyone manages to make money in the process, except the one who is actually providing the "material". They are expected to sacrifice their body for "free" or are looked down upon, by those same people who are rolling in the dough.

 

[cmoneyr]

Organ donation is roughly analogous to college athletics. Everyone manages to make money in the process, except the one who is actually providing the "material". They are expected to sacrifice their body for "free" or are looked down upon, by those same people who are rolling in the dough.

...But your dead, I don't think anyone is forcing you to give up a kidney while you're living or be an outcast. You should do it because it's the right thing to do, what kind of compensation would you propose for the dead?

 

[Cyclonepride]

That would make a Terry Schiavo case a little more intriguing, wouldn't it? Technically you could donate a kidney and just live with one.

 

[cmoneyr]

Well technically you could donate your eyes to some blind kid and be fine, but I highly doubt people would look down on you if you didn't.

 

[keepngoal]

Human Organ discussion in one thread and fast food burgers in another.

*sigh.

-keep

 

[cmoneyr]

What! Where is this discussion of fast food burgers?! I want in.

 

[bos]

What can you lose....1 kidney, 1 lung, half liver, gallbladder, appendix. Am I missing one?

 

[keepngoal]

Testicle?

-keep

 

[cmoneyr]

Keepn, just because you may be able to survive this long with one doesn't mean the rest of us are willing.

 

[bos]

Testicle?

-keep

There is no way I would lose that badboy. My junk is staying with me till I rest in the soil.

 

[alaskaguy]

An excerpt from the linked article....

"Interestingly, in Iran payment to live donors of organs is legal, but the Iranian theocratic government outlaws the use of organs from cadevers for transplants because that is assumed to violate the Koran."

Personally, I found Table 5 to be interesting. Table 5 considers the most important arguments that have been advanced against payment for organs by comparing that system with issues raised by a volunteer army (see page 45).

 

[iceclone]

An excerpt from the linked article....

"Interestingly, in Iran payment to live donors of organs is legal, but the Iranian theocratic government outlaws the use of organs from cadevers for transplants because that is assumed to violate the Koran."

Personally, I found Table 5 to be interesting. Table 5 considers the most important arguments that have been advanced against payment for organs by comparing that system with issues raised by a volunteer army (see page 45).

Page 45 ????

This is completely unreasonable. At best you can expect us internet posters to click on the link and read the abstract. Getting to page 45 is just way out of line :wink:

[/soapbox]

 

[CTAClone]

About 5 years ago I signed up for a Liver Transplant. It was a free website you can log onto and sign it just in case you needed a new liver. You could also order a shirt with your rank and number on it to wear while you went out drinking. I'm wondering where I stand on the list, but alas I can't find the website anymore.

 

[cmoneyr]

That's an excellent idea, preemptive organ signups. Can I call dibs on a heart, nothing from a baboon though please.

 

[alaskaguy]

About 5 years ago I signed up for a Liver Transplant. It was a free website you can log onto and sign it just in case you needed a new liver. You could also order a shirt with your rank and number on it to wear while you went out drinking. I'm wondering where I stand on the list, but alas I can't find the website anymore.

According to the paper the median waiting time for a liver transplant was 430 days during calendar year 2002. However a factor that should be considered when reviewing the aforementioned statistic is that 15% of the population that is waiting on a liver transplant dies while waiting.

The risk of a living liver donor dying as a result of a liver transplant is estimated at no more than .33%.

The average cost of a liver transplant in the US is $335,000. The estimated market price of a liver is $37,500.

The paper analyzes the morality issues connected with selling human organs (pages 25-28).

The paper concludes that permitting people to sell their organs would dramatically increase the supply of organs available for transplant while not not appreciably increasing the cost of transplant operations.

 

[herbiedoobie]

...But your dead, I don't think anyone is forcing you to give up a kidney while you're living or be an outcast. You should do it because it's the right thing to do, what kind of compensation would you propose for the dead?

Are you saying that dead people have no bills? Or, more precisely, the relatives and former dependents of dead people should just "play ball" with the doctors, hospital administrators and insurance companies that make money off the transplant?

Maybe you should suggest that the "right thing to do" would be for the people making a profit off the transplant should do it for free? I mean, it's "the right thing to do."

 

[brianhos]

Testicle?

-keep

She already took mine, so this is just the next logical step.

 

[Wesley]

Can you rent organs for awhile?