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Stories like this show that such a thing would need very tight regulation. Like what? Kids need a parent's permission to donate their kidney? I don't think you
by extension 15y ago
Stories like this show that such a thing would need very tight regulation.
Like what? Kids need a parent's permission to donate their kidney? I don't think you'll get much argument about that.
Also, keep in mind that someone's life was saved here. Someone about whom we can't make very many assumptions based on what we know.
That's the catch with the whole organ selling debate: however horrifying you find the seller's story, you have to compare it with the buyer's, or rather the would-be buyers who die on the waiting list.
- Jun8 15y agoI am actually up for a free market for organs, because of the precise reasons that you cite, provided that there are some safeguards. The hospitals should provide services that talk about the health risks involved and psychological counseling. I bet, if this kid got a 30 minute talk about the relative importance of the iPad2 vs the kidney, he would have changed his decision. Then again, some are so poor that they do need the money for their families, so these should get the maximum rate. This are a lot of ethical, economical, and operational questions related to this. Doesn't mean that it should be banned, though.
- baguasquirrel 15y agoIt's horrifying because a young boy, with many years left in his life, in all likelihood gave one of his organs to someone who's probably got 10-15 years left tops.