Organ Transplants Turning Commercial: The Controversy Behind Organ Sales

The issue of organ transplants, particularly those involving healthy, living donors, have always been shrouded in controversy: While the patients afflicted with progressive organ failure have limited waiting time, living donors, however, can be hard to come by.

In a recent case in Singapore, See Tim Hua, a male patient, was declared braindead by doctors. Without taking into the account of Mr Sim's families fragile emotions, doctors had allegedly attempted to shut off Mr Sim's life support machine, in a desperate bid to savage his healthy organs. It took nine policement to restrain his family members, and understandably so.

While such incidents are rare and certainly very unpleasant, it certainly highlights the little known fact that there is indeed a chronic shortage of organs in many parts of the world.

Given the medical necessity, some have advocated for the legalization of organ trading. While such a suggestion is not new, it usually invokes a storm of protests from the general public.

Surprisingly, though, Iran, a conservative Muslim nation, has legalized organ sales, which highlights the pressing need to save patients in dire need of organ transplants.

Ethical Issues

Given that our human organs are vital biological instruments that we rely upon for survival, selling one's organs for the sake of monetary benefits seem to go against the grain of basic human instincts.

It also encompasses certain age-old issues, such as the exploitation of the poorer masses. By allowing the commercialization of organ trading, it seems that the proverbial opening of Pandora's box might just turn into a real prophecy.

According to Dr Choi Kin, President of the Hong Kong Medical Association, to trade one's organs for profit is akin to raw prostitution: "To trade it and sell it for a 100 pounds, 200 pounds, or to the highest bidder, that is to prostitute your organ."

Given that there is also a possibility of profiteering by unscrupulous middlemen, is it wise, then, to legalize the organ trade?

Medical Issues

As in all operations, organ transplants entail a certain level of risk for the donor.

Kidney patients, for example, may die from complications resulting from the operation itself, although such a mortality rate is still considered low enough for certain sections of the poor to take that chance.

There is always the possibility that the donor's health may be affected, especially with kidney transplants. Certain patients may suffer from fatigue and other debilitating symptoms associated with patients with only one functioning kidney.

Pragmatic Reasons Behind The Idea Of Organ Sales

The truth is, organ sales do have certain positive attributes, however unpleasing it may seem offhand.

Impoverished people who are willing to trade their organs for cash may be able to benefit from the cash flow, even if it means a gradual decline in their health. On the other hand, patients with the financial capability to purchase them will most likely benefit from the transplant.

On paper, at least, it works both ways: Both parties get what they want. The idea of legalizing organ sales would also diminish or reduce the effects of organ sales in black markets, which often do not offer after-care services for donors who are willing to do the trade.