Organ Selling - Yay or Nay

[Voxpopuli]

I saw a segment on the blackmarket of organ selling on AC 360 this evening. In the story there was an Israeli man who sold his kidney for $20,000. This got me thinking about the morality of selling organs. So I figured this would make for an interesting discussion.

If organs were allowed to be openly sold in the market place between consenting parties, where the donor is at least 18 years of age. Would you find this morally objectionable?

If so, what do you find about this that is morally objectionable? Please explain from this from your religions perspective or from a secular ethical perspective if you have no religion.

[AeroEngineer]

I wouldn't see it any differently than selling your hair to a wig shop for whatever value you think is suitable.

More foolish, for sure... but same concept.

[AutoRacer55]

I'm a capitalist.

Yes.

[CID_0687]

I've never really thought about it...but I don't see anything unethical about it given the guidelines set in the OP. You're essentially saving another persons life, which is a good deed...and you're getting paid for your contribution, so that's money in your wallet. If someone is willing to give up an organ for a loved one then, which they do all the time...why not give one to a perfect stranger for some cash?

[Finality]

Are we supposed to protect people from themselves in each and every decision they could make? I hold strong agreement with the right of each of us to make really, really bad decisions for ourselves.

[DRS]

I would not sell my organs for money, I got a free gift all I would ask is that which is asked of me, love God and neighbour

[meggers49]

absolutely not.

they used to pay people for blood donations, too.

the ethics to is are so bad it's without parallel.

the medical problems would be enormous and the fraud would be a nightmare.

I work in the health care field. not a good thing. definately not.

[Koushi Shinigami]

Only if they throw in some fava beans and a nice Chianti.

[Voxpopuli]

I would not sell my organs for money, I got a free gift all I would ask is that which is asked of me, love God and neighbour

I take it, you only find donated organs morally acceptable?

absolutely not.

they used to pay people for blood donations, too.

the ethics to is are so bad it's without parallel.

the medical problems would be enormous and the fraud would be a nightmare.

I work in the health care field. not a good thing. definately not.

Could you explain why the ethics are so bad?

[DRS]

I take it, you only find donated organs morally acceptable?


Each one is judged by their own conscience

But how does one really beg God for mercy and their life if they themselves were no willing to give to another who did the same of them?

[Voxpopuli]

Each one is judged by their own conscience

But how does one really beg God for mercy and their life if they themselves were no willing to give to another who did the same of them?

I would assume the same way a Fireman, EMS person, ER doctor/nurse who get paid for their services do it.

[Thor]

I saw a segment on the blackmarket of organ selling on AC 360 this evening. In the story there was an Israeli man who sold his kidney for $20,000. This got me thinking about the morality of selling organs. So I figured this would make for an interesting discussion.

If organs were allowed to be openly sold in the market place between consenting parties, where the donor is at least 18 years of age. Would you find this morally objectionable?

If so, what do you find about this that is morally objectionable? Please explain from this from your religions perspective or from a secular ethical perspective if you have no religion.

If it's between two consenting parties of legal age I see nothing wrong with it. In fact, I think it is IMMORAL to block this transaction. If I want to sell one of my kidneys to a rich guy for $100,000, who are you to stop me?

[Thor]

absolutely not.

they used to pay people for blood donations, too.

the ethics to is are so bad it's without parallel.

the medical problems would be enormous and the fraud would be a nightmare.

I work in the health care field. not a good thing. definately not.

Please explain how there would be "fraud".

[DRS]

I would assume the same way a Fireman, EMS person, ER doctor/nurse who get paid for their services do it.

All those are things that require you to get an education which you have to pay for. If I had two healthy kidneys and you were dying and I said well I let live you live and keep caring for family only if you give me 50,000 for it, I personally would feel like a piece of crap. Are there situations where I have no problem trading cash for it? Sure if that money was needed to help someone else then I would have no problem making the trade

[Voxpopuli]

All those are things that require you to get an education which you have to pay for. If I had two healthy kidneys and you were dying and I said well I let live you live and keep caring for family only if you give me 50,000 for it, I personally would feel like a piece of crap. Are there situations where I have no problem trading cash for it? Sure if that money was needed to help someone else then I would have no problem making the trade

I'm not aware of fireman and paramedics paying for higher education to get those jobs. At least around here the training is provided by the department. Anyways, that is irrelevant to the discussion.

It would still be a business transaction. According to natural rights theory we own ourselves and we own the product of our labor (services.) If you can accept that we have a right to profit from our labor which is an extension of our self-ownership than you must accept that we also can profit from the selling our self.

Considering the kidney example, it isn't something free that is being given up. One is taking on a considerable amount of risk as well. You now only have one kidney to last you for the rest of your life.

I think the way you are framing the situation is bit off. No one is begging you for their life.

[Voxpopuli]

I'm surprised no one has brought up the issues of exploiting the poor or the indignity of treating ones body as a commodity.

[DRS]

I'm not aware of fireman and paramedics paying for higher education to get those jobs. At least around here the training is provided by the department. Anyways, that is irrelevant to the discussion.

It would still be a business transaction. According to natural rights theory we own ourselves and we own the product of our labor (services.) If you can accept that we have a right to profit from our labor which is an extension of our self-ownership than you must accept that we also can profit from the selling our self.

Considering the kidney example, it isn't something free that is being given up. One is taking on a considerable amount of risk as well. You now only have one kidney to last you for the rest of your life.

I think the way you are framing the situation is bit off. No one is begging you for their life.

If you decide you want to sell it that is your choice, me I could not and people do not ask for something like a kidney until it is life and death

[Voxpopuli]

If you decide you want to sell it that is your choice, me I could not and people do not ask for something like a kidney until it is life and death

I think you are still misunderstanding, this is a discussion on the demand and supply for an organ, not an individual asking for an organ.

[DRS]

Who would be asking for it?

[Voxpopuli]

Who would be asking for it?

The demand side.

[DRS]

The demand side.

People in need right?

What happens if they do not get it?

[Voxpopuli]

People in need right?

What happens if they do not get it?

The same thing that would happen if you DRS do not go out and donate a kidney to someone who is currently in need.

[Constantine the Great]

I saw a segment on the blackmarket of organ selling on AC 360 this evening. In the story there was an Israeli man who sold his kidney for $20,000. This got me thinking about the morality of selling organs. So I figured this would make for an interesting discussion.

If organs were allowed to be openly sold in the market place between consenting parties, where the donor is at least 18 years of age. Would you find this morally objectionable?

If so, what do you find about this that is morally objectionable? Please explain from this from your religions perspective or from a secular ethical perspective if you have no religion.

This is kind of reminiscent of what used to take place in the world of Life Insurance before the days of regulation.
People would find the most decrepit and destitute individual they could find, take out a huge life insurance policy on them, and then wait for the person to die.

[Andrew_980]

If it is consenting adults then why not?

[captusa]

I've never really thought about it...but I don't see anything unethical about it given the guidelines set in the OP. You're essentially saving another persons life, which is a good deed...and you're getting paid for your contribution, so that's money in your wallet. If someone is willing to give up an organ for a loved one then, which they do all the time...why not give one to a perfect stranger for some cash?

Under the present system the ONLY one that does not profit from an organ transplant is the donor.
How is that fair ?
Does anyone have a reason to not allow the sale of organs?

[smyrna]

If it is consenting adults then why not?


Wrong organ Andrew_980.:doh:

[DRS]

The same thing that would happen if you DRS do not go out and donate a kidney to someone who is currently in need.

And what is that?