3 ms·
It's very frustrating that in Germany you are only allowed to donate a kidney if you can prove that you have a deep relationship with the recipient (family memb
by pentamassiv 2y ago
It's very frustrating that in Germany you are only allowed to donate a kidney if you can prove that you have a deep relationship with the recipient (family members, close friends...). Maybe these rules made sense when the operation came with great risks, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. It's okay to check that the person is doing it willingly and not because they got pressured but why am I not allowed to donate it to a stranger? Is adding years to their lifespan not enough of a motivation?
- guenthert 2y agoI believe (I wasn't in the country then and missed the public discourse) that those rules were put in place after some allegation regarding financial conflict of interest were made. I had to speak to such a committee. I was not fond of that idea, willing to explain myself, but not to defend my decision. It turned out however, that this was rather a formality, the committee being three very friendly, well meaning and encouraging citizen. But yes, the system in the US (donate to a pool, recipient receives from pool) seems preferable as in my case the recipient is not a perfect match for my organ and consequently (afaiu, but I know next to nothing about medicine and biology) has to henceforth take (fairly expensive) autoimmune suppressors.
- StefanBatory 2y agoSo that you won't be coerced or forced to give up your kidney under duress.
- pentamassiv 2y agoI just think there are much better solutions to that. You could say that the donor can only control who gets the organ if they can proof a close relationship. Otherwise they cannot chose the recipient. I think that would allow donations to strangers while preventing coercion.