I met a New York attorney at a conference over the weekend. When discussing the rabbis and mayors arrested in New Jersey, she mentioned that she didn’t want to live in a society where poor people felt like they had to sell their organs, and that these people shouldn’t be taken advantage of or made to feel like they had to do so.
I’m not sure exactly why this rubs so many people the wrong way. What does it make you feel to live in a society where someone feels they must have a job, or they must go to law school, or live in New York City, or commute to work, or attend conferences? Why is selling an organ that you’ll probably never miss that much different at all?
Terri Hertz died waiting for a kidney.
Megan McArdle explains how this isn’t even a moral quandary at all, when people are suffering and dying due to kidney shortages. Not everyone can be Steve Jobs and fly to the state with the shortest waiting line– what about them? Why should they feel pressured to die so that others can make a political point that people should only offer up their organs on a purely altruistic basis?
Daniel Akst writes:
“It’s illegal in this country to buy or sell organs for transplant. This is an unjust law made and enforced by people who desperately need neither organs nor money. It condemns kidney-disease sufferers to death and potential organ donors to poverty. It’s a law that I will unhesitatingly break if one of my children needs a kidney, and I hope you will have the decency to do the same if a member of your family is in a similar situation.
The sanctimony of those who condemn these transactions strikes me as outrageous. If someone has the right to abort her own fetus, why does she not have the right to sell her own kidney? By what authority does the state tell me I cannot save myself or my family members by paying money I earned to a willing seller of a surplus item? In fact, why wouldn’t a system of national health insurance include a provision for organ purchases? These transactions should not just be legal for the rich but subsidized for the poor, all in a carefully designed and closely regulated marketplace serving buyers, sellers and even medical ethicists. It’s a shame that even one more person has to die before this law is changed.
Of course, kidney buying wouldn’t have to be subsidized for the poor. There are many poor people who amass hundreds of thousands of dollars through generous private donors for a potential organ transplant surgery, only to die while in the waiting line.
Thirteen people will die today waiting for a kidney.
Good Businees decision to sell a kidney. I will sell a kidney with full confidentiality.
Weldon Nicholson
September 3rd, 2009
I would also sell a Kidney!!! No question about it!
Brain
December 28th, 2009
The revulsion to this idea, that I have seen, has come mainly from the left. It has me highly confused as like you said, on women’s issues – hands off my fetus! The child is property. But I have no legal right to exchange my own body parts. Women can donate eggs for monetary compensation. Women are paid to be surrogates. What only wombs can be rented out?
Of course, we wouldn’t want the disadvantaged in our society to be used as organ machines. But that kind of black market condition exists when and activity remains illegal. And to blanket bar the homeless from such an exchange is elitist privilege. Who are you (we) to decide whether someone less fortunate than you has the right or capacity to make an informed choice for their own life?
If I am expected to surrender organs out my love for humanity, hospitals should have to put them in for free. I can’t charge for my services but they can?
The Green Libertarian
February 8th, 2010
Women Issues these days are mostly about women empowerment and equal rights among men.,`”
Anna Allen
July 5th, 2010
women issues these days are more on equal rights with men and woman power:`*
Jonathan Allen
August 3rd, 2010
there are lots of women issues that are mostly related to relationships and family`:,
Brandon Scott
September 29th, 2010
Hello, I would like to donate a kidney to you or your loved one. Let’s help one another. I am a 34-year old healthy American male. I do not smoke, drink alcohol, or use any drugs. I lead a very healthy lifestyle and accompanying diet. I’m an accomplished marathon runner, and generally run 40-60 miles per week. I’m 6’0 160lbs. Blood type is O+.
I’ve been laid off twice in the last 2 years, and have many needs to address for myself and my family. As far as your needs, I recognize the time sensitivity involved here, and I am ready to put a plan into action ASAP. I’m located in the New York City area and would prefer to remain local. I will consider traveling if necessary. If you or a loved one is in need of a kidney donation, please contact me and let’s discuss. clgreenplanet@hotmail.com
Edward
October 15th, 2010
well, womens issues are centered on things which involves a woman’s feelings..~,
Money Business :
October 25th, 2010
sell my kidney!!im 19 years old perfect health light smoker no drugzz i live in italy price 40000 euro or more contact me 00393807751446 or mail camparygino@gmail.com
gino
November 27th, 2010
bloodtype A+
gino
November 27th, 2010
If you would like to know more information, Please e-mail me at tellall1963@yahoo.com
Diana
January 14th, 2011
Dear Kidney patients.
I’m 40years male with O+ and like to donate FREE for some body who needs. Only receiver must take care of medical, transplant (good safe hospital) and travelling if needed. How ever being a FREE life donor to stranger I’ll not like to lose Money or my assets with it. If somebody around or below 50years preferred because they still have much to enjoy life. Contact me on
bandara-ashoka@live.com
Rgds,
Bandara.
bandara
February 10th, 2011
Wouldn’t say a word if I could save a life I would do it in a second.
jon
February 14th, 2011
Hi i am Ramakant from India ready to donate my Kidney Blood Group A -ve contact me on 09028016171 or my mail kidneydonor40@yahoo.com
Ramakant
January 23rd, 2012
I’d be very willing to get rid of a kidney, just email me.
RITA YOUNG
January 31st, 2012