Quote:
Originally Posted by xg4bx
why can one freely donate their organs yet can't sell them?
|
The same reason prostitution is illegal in most societies while hooking up isn't.
Crappy Hollywood movies aside, prostitution demostrably leads to exploitation of the immature, incautious, and the desperate (especially the poor). Most societies aspire to be better than that.
(Not all, mind you.)
The topic just happens to be in the news today:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46982519...ew_york_times/)
Organ sales go beyond blood sales (ethically tricky to start with), hair sales, and even prostitution in that they are irrevocable decisions. Once you give up that kidney it won't grow back.
By trying to take the profit motive out of the equation, society tries to protect their most vulnerable from exploitation, which is what the quoted article shows happened.
Not saying there isn't a big international market for illegal organ sales, because there obviously is; but at least the exploiters up the chain are at enough risk to dampen demand.
The poor are exploited enough as is; at least let's not add to their misery.