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>> I have no problem with the sale of organs, or any other commercialisation of
>> the human body, so long as it is with the individual's consent. I do wonder
>> though, whether the value of organs would be increased or decreased by their
>> perishable nature. Wait too long for a good price, and you get nothing. You have the same issue with selling fresh fruit. The free market seems to
deal with this pretty well. Yes, people would have to make a fast decision about what to do with the
organs. Pre-planning would be a critical part of this - same as a house auction. >> Alternatively, scarcity and demand could skyrocket price. Yes, that's how the market works. This is not a problem. The socialist
'government owns peoples' bodies' model hasn't exactly produced
overwhelming supply. Time to give another model a chance. >> There would be some ethical questions, such as people who die intestate, even
>> more so if they have no obvious next of kin. This is easy: you can't sell something which doesn't belong to you. The
government (or it's agents) have no right to ownership of your body just
because you chose not to leave a will. >> Who owns a dead homeless guy with perfectly usable organs? Unless he has left a will: nobody. >> If it is the hospital, that raises the conundrum of
>> how hard they try to save him (assuming he was still alive when he arrived, of
>> course), particularly if they're unconscious with no proof of insurance or
>> identity. It is in their financial interest to allow deadbeats to die in order
>> to claim their organs. A conflict of interest, perhaps? If you look for 'conflicts of interest' in the market you will find them
everywhere:
- The doctor who knows he will earn less money if he cures you.
- The pharmacist who prescribes unnecessary (and expensive) medicines.
- The mechanic who suggests a new part, when the old one still have years of
life in it.
- The university who promotes a women's studies degree as a good career
launcher.
- etc ..
The market copes with these quite well. Organs would be no
different. People who plan ahead will do very well. Those who don't .. won't.
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