It is exploitative to pay people for kidneys - this was not adequately addressed in the piece. I don't think I could be persuaded otherwise, but to do so you'd need to be honest about the exploitative nature and somehow demonstrate the harms are less than the status quo.
Yes, we have a shortage of kidneys. I'm not sure how I feel about paying people for donating. There are so many ways that could go sideways - unintended consequences and all. But one of the big reasons people choose to not get a kidney transplant is due to losing disability benefits once they go off dialysis (this coming directly from a social worker in a local transplant center). I guess you could say that this then frees up a kidney for someone who does want one though.
Why think small? We could use this to end our illegal immigration problem. Automatic green card to anyone willing to give a kidney - and full citizenship to the children of anyone who gives both kidneys! Of course we’ll have a 6 month waiting period to screen out the desperate. Admittedly, this would probably lead to kidney harvesting overwhelmingly from poor third world marginalized populations seeking an escape from poverty (no way to know this for sure, we’d have to do a trial first to find out) - but that’s exactly why we should do it! It’s utmost respect for their freedom and dignity to reward them for their choices in a free market fashion. Let’s make this happen people!
My son received a kidney from his father a dozen years ago when his father was 63. The donor has suffered not a single untoward event save the initial hospitalization and donation event. My son has been able to live his best life. Yes, I have skin in the game but I am also a practicing clinician who sees the overarching ethical values of justice, non malfeasance, autonomy and beneficence as reason to advocate for this rationale plan
It is exploitative to pay people for kidneys - this was not adequately addressed in the piece. I don't think I could be persuaded otherwise, but to do so you'd need to be honest about the exploitative nature and somehow demonstrate the harms are less than the status quo.
Yes, we have a shortage of kidneys. I'm not sure how I feel about paying people for donating. There are so many ways that could go sideways - unintended consequences and all. But one of the big reasons people choose to not get a kidney transplant is due to losing disability benefits once they go off dialysis (this coming directly from a social worker in a local transplant center). I guess you could say that this then frees up a kidney for someone who does want one though.
Why think small? We could use this to end our illegal immigration problem. Automatic green card to anyone willing to give a kidney - and full citizenship to the children of anyone who gives both kidneys! Of course we’ll have a 6 month waiting period to screen out the desperate. Admittedly, this would probably lead to kidney harvesting overwhelmingly from poor third world marginalized populations seeking an escape from poverty (no way to know this for sure, we’d have to do a trial first to find out) - but that’s exactly why we should do it! It’s utmost respect for their freedom and dignity to reward them for their choices in a free market fashion. Let’s make this happen people!
My son received a kidney from his father a dozen years ago when his father was 63. The donor has suffered not a single untoward event save the initial hospitalization and donation event. My son has been able to live his best life. Yes, I have skin in the game but I am also a practicing clinician who sees the overarching ethical values of justice, non malfeasance, autonomy and beneficence as reason to advocate for this rationale plan