Guy sells his kidney for $20k
To be honest, I don't have a problem with this:
In 2005, a rebellious and sporadically employed Israeli man flew to New York to give up a kidney to save an American businessman. For that, he says he was paid $20,000, which appeared in a brown envelope on his hospital bed after the operation.Ultimately, it's his body and it should be his right to sell a kidney for cash. Reason has touched on this subject before You can watch a video about organ markets here.That payoff would be illegal.
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Rosen believes he did a good deed and that organ donors like him should be compensated. Much of his story can be confirmed, and the case gives new resonance to claims that a black market for kidneys has thrived even in the United States.Rosen made a video about his transplant experience, and near the end of it, he is seen reclining on a bed piled with cash. A subtitle says: "This is what $20,000 looks like." It's hard to tell the amount, but the $100 face of Ben Franklin is visible on the bills.
Comments
You are absolutely right. At the very least, I should be able to will my organs to my wife so she can sell them after my death for whatever the market will bear. Thomas Sowell wrote about this a few years ago. The last time I heard anything about the organ market for living sellers, the biggest opportunities were in India. I don't know if that's still the case.
Posted by: Monroe Roark | August 18, 2009 09:20 PM
I agree--I don't see the problem with this as it allocates the organs in the most economical way possible if one were so inclined to do so as it increases supply.
This way, the people who need the organs the most will find a way to get them and do so in a timely manner instead of waiting months for an organ that may or may not come at the cost of free.
Posted by: Marcus | August 19, 2009 01:20 AM
From a pure capitalist viewpoint, selling your kidney is great: why not hold a public auction? I'm not joking, that is probably the best way to get the highest price and attract those most capable of paying top dollar. Seriously, if that is all that is in question, go ahead. I however think a little more thought is required. What's the difference between selling your kidney and a woman selling her sexual organs? It may be easier to state the similarities. The donor individual benefits financially, it is done willingly amongst both parties, and no one else is harmed in the process. All of that is true until you bring in basic morality, and I'm not talking religious morals. Stop and ask yourself the question- Is our quality of life so bad that we are willing to sell it for 20K? I have held many kidneys, hearts, livers and lungs in my two hands, and found it to be very sobering to ponder the lives that have been, could have been and may yet still be to come because of the actions of others. During those moments, selling these symbols of life was not on my mind. If your quality of life IS that bad, 20k isn't going to fix it.
Posted by: Andy | August 19, 2009 10:45 AM
That's a separate argument though, and also sort of irrelevant. Some people that engage in a "taboo," though victimless activity, do it for a variety of reasons. Who are we to question it? As you mentioned, not just for selling of organs, but for other activities as well. Provided it doesn't harm me or the rights of others, why should I care?
Don't take that as me knocking you or anything. Motivation (money, quality of life, etc), to me at least, is a non-factor.
Posted by: Jason | August 19, 2009 11:39 AM