Human Organs Debate | Vivienne Parry | Opposition

Summary

This speech argues against the legalization of organ sales, asserting it would not achieve its goals and would negatively affect donation attitudes. The speaker highlights the health risks for donors, the lack of comprehensive data on donor outcomes, and the potential for exploitation, especially of the poor and vulnerable. They also point out that payment systems have not proven effective in countries like Iran and emphasize the importance of non-monetary incentives for organ donation.

Takeaways

• 🚫 Legalizing the sale of organs is considered a backward step with potential negative impacts on society and the donation process.
• 🏥 There are moral limits to what can be commodified in markets, and organ sales cross that ethical boundary.
• 📈 Efforts to increase organ donation rates in Britain have been successful without resorting to payment, resulting in a 50% increase in transplanted organs.
• 💔 The health implications for living organ donors are significant and often under-discussed, with increased risks of kidney failure and other complications.
• 💰 The costs of paying donors for organs are not fully considered, especially the long-term health care needs that may arise for the donors.
• 🤔 Payment for organs could lead to a transactional mindset, devaluing the altruistic nature of organ donation and potentially increasing dishonesty in donor histories.
• 📉 The idea of organ sales being limited to kidneys is challenged, as the principle could extend to other organs with even greater risks.
• 👶 The concept of a market in organs is compared to the abhorrence of selling children, highlighting the devaluation of human life and dignity.
• 🏥 The current system in the UK compensates hospitals for the costs of organ transplantation, not the donors themselves.
• 🩸 Blood donation in the UK is successful without payment, suggesting that voluntary systems can work effectively compared to mixed paid and voluntary systems in the US.
• 🇮🇷 The example of Iran, where organ sales are legal, shows issues with coercion, exploitation of the poor, and long waiting lists for certain organs, indicating that a paid system does not necessarily solve shortages.

Q & A

What is the speaker's stance on legalizing the sale of organs?

The speaker is against legalizing the sale of organs, arguing that it would be a backward step and would not achieve its intended ends.

What was the purpose of the Organ Donor Task Force the speaker was a part of?

The Organ Donor Task Force was assembled to increase organ donation rates in Britain, which had been very low.

How has the infrastructure improvement impacted organ donation rates in Britain?

The infrastructure improvements have led to a 50% increase in transplanted organs in Britain.

What are the health implications for living organ donors, particularly for kidney donors?

Living kidney donors are 8 to 11 times more likely to end up in kidney failure compared to those with both kidneys, and they may face poorer circulatory health as they age.

What percentage of kidney donors in the US are lost to follow-up, and what are the implications?

35% of kidney donors in the US are lost to follow-up, which means the long-term health implications for these donors are not well documented or understood.

What are the potential complications and psychological issues faced by kidney donors?

20% of kidney donors have complications after surgery, and 30% suffer from psychological problems, which can be severe.

What was the estimated cost and benefit of paying donors $45,000 each for a kidney, according to a paper in the American Journal of Transplantation?

The paper suggested that paying donors $45,000 each for a kidney could eliminate the waiting list and save billions for society, but it did not account for the future health costs for the donors.

How does the speaker describe the attitudes towards organ donation when it becomes commercialized?

The speaker suggests that commercializing organ transplants can lead to a transactional view of organs as commodities, with potential for dishonesty about medical history and a lack of consideration for the donors' long-term health.

What are the risks associated with living liver donation?

There is a 1 in 200 chance of death during liver donation surgery and a 40% complication rate for living donors.

What is the current situation regarding children waiting for a heart transplant in the UK?

There are 16 children in the UK waiting for a heart transplant, and the country has run out of 'bridge to transplantation' pediatric beds.

How does the speaker argue that the best way to deal with organ waiting lists is not through payment to donors?

The speaker believes that directing money to prevent diseases like diabetes, which is the main cause of kidney failure, is a better approach than paying donors, as it addresses the root cause of the organ shortage.

What is the current payment system for hospitals in the UK when they perform a kidney transplant?

Each UK hospital that performs a kidney transplant is paid £22,000 to cover the expenses associated with the procedure.

What is the speaker's view on the potential unfairness of a market for organs?

The speaker argues that a market for organs would be unfair and exploitative, particularly towards the poor and vulnerable, and would devalue the precious gift of organ donation.

What is the situation with blood donation in the UK compared to the US?

In the UK, 40% of the population gives enough blood for all transfusion needs voluntarily, while the US has a mixed economy of paid and voluntary donations and still suffers from shortages.

What are the issues with the organ donation system in Iran, where payment for organs is allowed?

In Iran, there are issues with young women being coerced into organ donation by their families, and 50% of the donors are in poverty, highlighting the unfairness and exploitative nature of a paid organ market.