Should volunteers be allowed to sell one of their kidneys?

[sbl_admin]

A prominent surgeon is proposing a controversial remedy to allow volunteers to sell one of their kidneys

[joepole]

Yes, absolutely.

[rhertz]

What you can give it away, but cannot sell one? Sounds like kidneys are like sex! LOL, just kidding..

[Isaac-Saxxon]

I agree with Joe

[rhertz]

Here's what scares me about this. Once people start selling their kidneys for big bucks, that will create a market for kidneys which is fine and all. But that will in turn create a black market for stolen kidneys. At least it is that way for other big markets.

This just reminds me of that old urban legend about kidney theives stealing kidneys and leaving their victims in a bathtub filled with ice and a cordless phone...

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/robbery/kidney.asp

[Bubba McMillian]

Here is a site you might want to check for "Black Market Organs"

www.multiline.com.au/~donor/black.html

[Isaac-Saxxon]

I read some of that column and yes there will be black market organs and have been. I think what we are talking about can a person in the USA be able to go sell a body part ? I think with consent of the donor and a background check they should be able to sell. I do not think this will change the black market that is in place and able to deliver just about anything you can think of "IF" you have the money. I would rather pay someone the money and know their history and have the needed test done to make sure it is going to be worth the try.
Isaac

[joepole]

How does the existence of a legit market do anything but harm the black market?

[Al Swearengen]

Since WHEN does a consenting adult at the age of majority NOT have the right to sell one of his/her own kidneys? Its YOUR damn kidney! By God if you wanna sell it, dice it up and add it to your favorite stew, or use it for a pin cushion, how the hell is that anyone's business but yours?

[joepole]

Same reason an adult can't grow and smoke his own weed or give money to another consenting adult in (direct) exchange for sex.

[joepole]

Hell, we live in a country where in many places it's freakin' illegal to kill yourself.

No, sir, your life is worth living, we promise. That's not your decision.

[Al Swearengen]

Originally Posted by joepole

Same reason an adult can't grow and smoke his own weed or give money to another consenting adult in (direct) exchange for sex.

Id like to seem em try and stop me.

[Isaac-Saxxon]

Originally Posted by joepole

Hell, we live in a country where in many places it's freakin' illegal to kill yourself.

No, sir, your life is worth living, we promise. That's not your decision.

This is a subject for another thread but if someone is in the last throws of life and is suffering well there is nothing you can do but hope that the hospice person cares enough to push to much pain meds and let you go into the deep sleep that you are heading for anyway. This is one thing that bothers me about how man could show mercy on another man. Yes like anything else there will be people take advantage of this. Tbelle you work with terminal people how do you feel about doctor assisted suicide ?
Isaac

[rhertz]

Originally Posted by joepole

Hell, we live in a country where in many places it's freakin' illegal to kill yourself.

No, sir, your life is worth living, we promise. That's not your decision.

Can't have your tax base dropping off the earth like that! As long as you're breathing, you pay taxes/fees in one way or another.