Letter: Consider paying the organ donorTHE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
Posted Aug 27, 2010 @ 12:01 AM
Referring to prior news story
http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=19930.0Regarding The State Journal-Register’s “Organ failure” article on the kidney donor shortage, I’d like to suggest a little math and some simple economics.
First the math. The “By the numbers” insert summarized the approximately 3,900 people on Illinois’ transplant waiting list. Less than one-fifth (700) of them receive a transplant in any year.
The article’s focus was on harvesting organs from trauma victims, which might make another 300 available. So optimistically, they could then meet one-fourth of the need. Hundreds will still “exit” the waiting list annually — by dying. National numbers are proportional.
There’s a quote in the article by a medical professional endorsing “thoughtful consideration of any method of that might enhance donor-organ supply.” It’s one of those things everyone says whenever organ shortages are discussed. It’s also complete baloney.
How can I say that? Ah — here comes the economics.
To be a donor, one is rigorously evaluated to ensure they’re in good physical and mental condition, disease-free, etc. How’s that economics? Well, there’s one other qualification: You absolutely have to do it for free.
As nearly as I can tell, the operation costs around $100,000. Afterward, besides the recipient walking away with a new life, the surgeon walks away with several thousand dollars, the hospital collects several thousand dollars; likewise anesthesiologists, lab folks, etc. And I think they’re worth every penny.
The person who voluntarily gave up a major body organ, on the other hand, is barred from walking away with anything — except a nice warm feeling. This could be due to altruism, but I’m thinking maybe it’s just the stitches healing.
So, please thoughtfully consider: Compensate donors. It’s a supply-and-demand thing. If on the other hand you think that’s horrendously unethical, fairness demands we insist that the surgeons and everyone else do their part for free, too.
Simple. Economics.
Gerald Naughton
Springfield
http://www.sj-r.com/letters/x683715825/Letter-Consider-paying-the-organ-donor
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