I know we have many proponents of free markets, conservatism, libertaranism, etc.; so I'd like to know if this same philosphy would carry over to human organs. Instead of just relying on donations a free market would allow for the sale/purchase of human organs. With that being said...would you be for or against a free market for human organs?

This is an absolutely fascinating legal topic of personal interest to me. Huge $$$ involved. I would love to hear everyone's thoughts.

I personally think if it's your kidney why shouldn't you be able to sell it. But other than that what could you sell that you wouldn't need?

Wasn't there a Night Gallery episode about a man (Bosley) giving his eyes to a blind woman (?) but she could only see with them for like 12 hours or something. He did it for the money and she did it because she was rich and was tired of being blind. But when she opened her eyes a black out took place and she was never able to see because the power was out.

Another curious thought just hit me.

 

If we go with this notion, (It's my organ and I can sell it if I want to), can not the same then be true with prostitution and sex? Would any activity that involves only the private marketing of our person be okay, particularly if we do not harm anyone else?

At least I could pick who gets my organs.

How would one rebut the "poor people would never be able to get a transplant" argument?

How would one rebut the "poor people would never be able to get a transplant" argument?

 

 

Well, I would assume that if it were my kidney and I wanted to sell it for $20, in a free market I'd be entitled to do so...I could be the Wal-mart of organ selling.

Well, I would assume that if it were my kidney and I wanted to sell it for $20, in a free market I'd be entitled to do so...I could be the Wal-mart of organ selling.

 

Unless you've got 7000 kidneys you're not going to be the high-volume low-cost provider, right?

 

Your limited # of kidneys would lead you to sell it to the highest bidder.

 

Are we then just going to tell the poor folks "too bad?"

Heck yeah... if you grow it you ought to be able to sell it!

 

 

(NOTE: I'm kidding, mostly).

Unless you've got 7000 kidneys you're not going to be the high-volume low-cost provider, right?

 

Your limited # of kidneys would lead you to sell it to the highest bidder.

 

Are we then just going to tell the poor folks "too bad?"

 

 

No, Obama would create a new organ tax. He could take healty kidneys from those in high tax brackets and give them to those in low income brackets with diseased kidneys.

Another curious thought just hit me.

 

If we go with this notion, (It's my organ and I can sell it if I want to), can not the same then be true with prostitution and sex? Would any activity that involves only the private marketing of our person be okay, particularly if we do not harm anyone else?

I'm sure the people who are proponents of this idea would agree. But that seems a topic worthy of it's own thread.

This is an absolutely fascinating legal topic of personal interest to me. Huge $$$ involved. I would love to hear everyone's thoughts.

I agree that this topic fascinates me to no end and actually is something I've only recently even pondered.

 

So far it doesn't seem like we are going to get many thoughts. :confused: :confused:

 

I'll add mine a little later (though I'm sure they can be easily guessed) as I'll try to wait for a few posters to chime in...

How would one rebut the "poor people would never be able to get a transplant" argument?

I definitely agree that's something that would be looked at and I'm sure will cause many to turn away from the notion. At face value it seems that being poor would definitely limit your ability to receive a transplant. But when you take into account the nature of our society today, with there being more than enough charitable people out there that would be willing to 1) give their own organs away and/or 2) be willing to fork up the necessary funds to obtain an organ for someone who is poor and in need...

I definitely agree that's something that would be looked at and I'm sure will cause many to turn away from the notion. At face value it seems that being poor would definitely limit your ability to receive a transplant. But when you take into account the nature of our society today, with there being more than enough charitable people out there that would be willing to 1) give their own organs away and/or 2) be willing to fork up the necessary funds to obtain an organ for someone who is poor and in need...

 

Sorry, but without a big payday, I would not be willing to give away any of my organs, except to a family member. If that makes me a jerk, so be it.

 

That being said I'm not sure that I would be willing to sell any organs either.