Saturday, February 28, 2009

Blood & organ donations

Why can’t people be compensated for giving blood, or a kidney, while alive or other organs upon their death? Are these not personal property? Of course, I’ve never been asked to donate an organ, but each time the Red Cross calls me to set up a blood donation, they tell me that blood, particularly my type, is in short supply. Why is that? Some people, not me though, are old enough to remember the long gas lines during the 1970’s. Just as there was a short supply of cheap gas back then (due to price controls), there are short supplies of free blood especially during times of crisis (natural disasters, 911, etc.). Would it still be in short supply if people were compensated for it? I realize that one of the main problems would be that bad-blood people (those infected w/ HIV, AIDS, etc.) would flock to blood donation centers and lie about their condition. Unfortunately, blood can’t be tested the same day it’s withdrawn, but it's tested before it’s transfused. Here’s what I propose. When the test confirms it so, compensate the good-blood donors, and possibly penalize (fines, jail time, etc.) the bad-blood donors. I’m sure there are many healthy, good-blood people in society who would give blood if they were compensated for it. The hospitals certainly charge people (or their insurance companies or Medicare) for the blood that is transfused into them, so why can’t the suppliers of it be compensated? There is a plasma center in town that compensates people. Why can't other personal property be treated likewise?

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