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Note that donating a kidney is not free of long-term complications for the donor. This was not emphasized in the pioneering days of donations, but is considered

Note that donating a kidney is not free of long-term complications for the donor. This was not emphasized in the pioneering days of donations, but is considered now. Essentially you're halving your kidney capacity, which is not noticeable in your 20s, but will creep up on you later as you age. It also means that any toxin or infection that attacks the remaining kidney will be an emergency. Women are especially prone to UTI that cause kidney infections. (My father was missing part of one kidney, and it was on his mind throughout his life whenever he became ill.) So make sure you really like the person you're donating to, since there are consequences to yourself. Also, I hate to mention this, but the CCP has halal kidneys for sale, with a replacement guarantee even. I think you know where they're harvested from.

fractallyte 5y ago
You are absolutely correct! That fact is often overlooked, and it is vital to be properly informed about the consequences of donation. I'm wondering why anyone would disagree with you...
- redis_mlc 5y ago
  Despite HN being a tech-oriented forum, most members are completely ignorant of science. I understand that kidney donation risks are not well-understood, but ignorance permeates virtually every topic here. Off the top of my head, I'd say that salmonella from lettuce or eating out would be one of the greatest risks to a kidney donor, though for women pregnancy might be high-risk with one kidney. An MRI might also be a concern, because of the risk of allergies to dyes affecting kidneys and the liver. (The reason I'm shadowbanned is because dang is also ignorant about what science is. My posts are nearly 100% factual, but that doesn't fit the Marxist narrative here.)
  - meiraleal 5y ago
    You lost me with the "marxist narrative". YCombinator is the apex of liberalism/capitalism.
JPLeRouzic 5y ago
> Essentially you're halving your kidney capacity, which is not noticeable in your 20s, but will creep up on you later as you age. Yes, kidney capacity is routinely tested in 60+ old people (at least in my country) as well in pets (my two 12 yo cats are tested every year).

fractallyte 5y ago

You are absolutely correct! That fact is often overlooked, and it is vital to be properly informed about the consequences of donation. I'm wondering why anyone would disagree with you...

redis_mlc 5y ago
Despite HN being a tech-oriented forum, most members are completely ignorant of science. I understand that kidney donation risks are not well-understood, but ignorance permeates virtually every topic here. Off the top of my head, I'd say that salmonella from lettuce or eating out would be one of the greatest risks to a kidney donor, though for women pregnancy might be high-risk with one kidney. An MRI might also be a concern, because of the risk of allergies to dyes affecting kidneys and the liver. (The reason I'm shadowbanned is because dang is also ignorant about what science is. My posts are nearly 100% factual, but that doesn't fit the Marxist narrative here.)
- meiraleal 5y ago
  You lost me with the "marxist narrative". YCombinator is the apex of liberalism/capitalism.

JPLeRouzic 5y ago

> Essentially you're halving your kidney capacity, which is not noticeable in your 20s, but will creep up on you later as you age. Yes, kidney capacity is routinely tested in 60+ old people (at least in my country) as well in pets (my two 12 yo cats are tested every year).