Two Years Ago Today on GINA COBB: Organ Donation Policies Killing Patients With Kindness

Originally published on June 3, 2006:  Organ Donation Policies Killing Patients With Kindness

Virginia Postrel, who donated a kidney to a non-relative, explains why well-intentioned laws and policies precluding any incentives for kidney donation other than altruism are actually killing tens of thousands of kidney patients a year.  (Via Pajamas Media)

Listen carefully:  It is not enough that a law or policy be well-intentioned.  If its actual effect is to sentence tens of thousands of people to premature death, the law must be changed. 

Virginia Postrel, who donated a kidney to a non-relative, explains why well-intentioned laws and policies precluding any incentives for kidney donation other than altruism are actually killing tens of thousands of kidney patients a year.  (Via Pajamas Media)

Listen carefully:  It is not enough that a law or policy be well-intentioned.  If its actual effect is to sentence tens of thousands of people to premature death, the law must be changed. 

Comments

[Dave Undis]

Financial incentives for organ donation would save thousands of lives every year. As the organ shortage continues to grow, public opinion will eventually support a legal organ market and changes in public policy will follow.

In the mean time, there is an already-legal non-financial incentive that can put a big dent in the organ shortage -- allocate donated organs first to people who have agreed to donate their own organs when they die. The United Network for Organ Sharing, which manages the national organ allocation system, has the power to make this simple policy change. No legislative approval is required.

Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. People who aren't willing to share the gift of life should go to the back of the waiting list as long as there is a shortage of organs.

Americans who want to donate their organs to other registered organ donors don't have to wait for UNOS to act. They can join LifeSharers, a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Membership is free at www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88. There is no age limit, parents can enroll their minor children, and no one is excluded due to any pre-existing medical condition.