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Organ Trade (heavy edit, based on 报章报道)

I believe there is nothing wrong with organ trade, ethically or otherwise. Yes, it is illegal in most developed countries, but people go off to the poorer developing countries to get their kidneys anyway, so why not, legalise it and minimize the risks.

Why do people sell their kidneys? These people are often poor, from third world countries. Even after deductions of agent’s fee, they still get quite a sum. One doesn’t need both kidneys, and having only one will still allow a person’s body to function normally.

Why do people buy kidneys? People suffering from kidney failure have to endure gruelling hours of dialysis every day. With the long waiting list, and very low supply of donated kidneys, the wait for a suitable donor’s kidney would take years. Instead of waiting for years in vain, people choose to purchase kidneys from poorer countries, for a small pittance.

A reason why people are turning to organ trade is because of an old belief of certain religions and ethnic groups, that in death, one must have an intact body. This results in few people pledging their organs in their last will. The supply of kidneys barely increases, whereas the demand for kidneys is ever-increasing.

Organ trade, in an economical sense, can benefit the seller. With the sum of money they get from selling their organ, which really is what they make in a year or perhaps more, they would be able to lead a better life. They will move up the socio-economic ladder, and their kids would be ensured a proper education, which would eventually allow the family to break out of the poverty cycle. As well, with the money comes to right of consumerism. This would then serve to boost the economy.

My stand is that organ trade should be legalised, and controlled.

Firstly, legalised organ trade must be arranged by a governmental, non-profit organisation. The organisation can have a database of possible buyers and sellers. They can then arrange for prospective matches (with suitable kidneys) to meet up, and discuss a trade. The organisation can broker the deal, which would ensure the rights of the seller are protected.

Secondly, the government must enforce laws that all organ transplant operations must be performed in local hospitals, under qualified surgeons. This would lower the possible hygiene and infection risks that the poorer country’s hospitals might carry.

Whether or not organ trade becomes legalised, this is one thing that ought to be carried out: changing the perspectives of people. The government can encourage people to pledge their organs in their last wills, which would really help ease the long waiting list. After all, after one’s death, if your organs can prolong someone else’s life, allow that someone to lead a more meaningful life – with your organ, is that not a cause to be proud of? Instead of selfishly letting them rot when you get buried or charred when you get cremated, donate them, and let them have a new lease of life. This could just bring someone else hope.