I believe in self-ownership, and that extends to ownership of my innards. Accordingly, I believe that an individual should be able to sell his innards.
It is legal to donate a kidney, but it is illegal in the US to sell a kidney. Same is true for other organs, even post-mortem. Neither you nor your heirs can sell your body parts after you die. You can donate them, though.
In 2014, 4,761 patients died while waiting for a kidney transplant. Another, 3,668 people became too sick to receive a kidney transplant. There are similar shortages for many other organs. However, it recently became legal in some states to sell bone marrow.
The linked piece makes a very interesting analogy regarding the immorality and inconsistency in preventing the sale of body parts. After all, we permit the compensation of doctors, nurses and other people, along with the hospitals they work in, for the transplant surgeries and for other life-saving work.
One of the arguments offered against the sale of organs is the fear of exploitation. How does that “moral” position compare with tolerating thousands of avoidable deaths each year?
There is a libertarian principle that says that anything you can do for free you should be able to do for compensation. Organ donation should not be an exception.
Loading ...
Active Comment Threads
Most Commented Posts
Universal Background Checks – A Back Door to Universal Registration
COVID Mask Follies
When Everything Is Illegal…
An Anti-Vax Inflection Point?
“Not In My Name”
The Great Social Media Crackup
War Comes Through The Overton Window
The First Rule of Italian Driving
Most Active Commenters