Reality Shows Gone Too Far: The Donor Show

Welcome to The Donor Show! The only show in the world with one terminally ill organ donor named Lisa and three people competing for her kidney. In this eccentric show these three patients that are bound to dialysis machines will be competing for her kidney. With organ donor lists as long as they are this reality show may determine which of the three people will live more than 5 years.

When the kidney begins to deteriorate then the body will no longer be able to process blood. Modern medicine has provided us with the dialysis machine. This machine allows people with kidney failure to have their blood processed by such a machine on a weekly basis. The machines are very expensive, and people with kidney failure must always stay close to a medical center equipped with a dialysis machine.

This show will be aired in Holland next year. Organ transplant societies around the world have described the show as barbarous and malicious. Some people even described the show as mans closest attempt at playing god - because the outcome of the show is very likely to have life or death consequences.

Transplant societies are not the only critics of the show. TV critics have given the idea horrible ratings. British television critics went as far as saying that the show would not be successful on British television.

In the show's home country the issue is becoming a political one. Some political parties take the side of the transplant societies. One such party, the Christian Democratic Party of Holland was quoted as saying that it was a crazy idea. Other parties argue that it is a good idea that will increase public awareness of organ transplantation options.

These dutch political parties are making a good argument. If the show succeeds in its goal of increasing public awareness of the people suffering with kidney failure, then perhaps more people will donate organs. After all people have a habit of picking favorite's in most reality shows. What if upon their death they could help out someone in the same situation as their favorite character on a T.V. show?

The advocates of the show state that if even one more kidney is donated that the show will be a success, despite the ratings that it may receive. With such a just cause, how on earth could a show be accused of profiteering from human suffering?