Singapore debates legal organ trade -- 27 August 2008

One of Singapore's wealthiest businessmen is on trial on charges of illegally trying to buy a kidney from an Indonesian man.

The case has stirred debate in
Singapore, and the government has confirmed to Al Jazeera that it is thinking about legalising organ trading.

Step Vaessen reports.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• singapore
• organ
• trade
• debate
• step
• vaessen
• aljazeera

[loverboydada2]

i want to sell my kidney anyone who needs it pls email me

[livenlearn1226]

According to Lastnymleft's reasoning, child trafficking should be legal too. Under the guise that people can have more than one child, like that of kidneys, for the child's well-being and from freedom from poverty. Why don't you sell your soul too along with your eye, hand, and leg if human parts trade is to be legalized? Ridiculous logic!

[gunman806]

As for pragmatics, legalizing the organ trade would easily address supply deficiencies. Thousands of deaths per year result from shortages and thousands more could receive a method to escape poverty.

[gunman806]

Concerning principle, why should I not possess the right to do what I wish with my bodily domain? What gives the majority or the state the right to intervene? As well, why is it the case that semen and blood plasma are legal to sell while kidneys and livers are not? This arrangement strikes me as extremely inconsistent.

[wabdinur]

You're right; no price should be set on organ transplantation.

[ntn1987]

A donation doesn't equate to a trade, there's a monetary difference.

[wabdinur]

It's up to people if they want their organs to be donated. I'm sure there are medical researches out there that are looking for alternatives to organ donations.

[ntn1987]

Then do so without the cost of another human being.

[wabdinur]

Death is inevitable but with the miracle of science/medicine, we can prolong our span of life.

[ntn1987]

yes, we all gonna die!