Going Once, Twice, SOLD ... Kidney goes to the gentlemean with chronic renal failure

The BBC recently raised the issue here on whether it is ethically correct to sell organs such as kidneys like commodities. Over 400 people die every year waiting for an organ so why shouldn't we tempt people with the offer of payment. This is a very materialistic view and could not possible run parallel with the current organ donor system.

It would be a cruel way to run our health care. A health service for all would return to those who had money and those who didn't. Yes more people could be saved, but should the NHS foot the bill or maybe it should be the patient? Who pays and and who receives! The system could be open to abuse with the rich benefiting and possible illegal "seizing" of organs to supply this black market.

I don't ever see the real possibility of a "purchase-an-organ" program but who knows what the world is coming to.

One possible trade it style solution can be found from the above mentioned article.

Patients will have a family member or friend who is willing to donate a kidney, but transplant surgeons cannot carry out the operation because the kidney doesn't "match" and would be rejected by the patient's body. A kidney exchange is a computer program that finds compatible pairs of donors and patients.
"I could give a kidney to your patient and you could give a kidney to my patient."

So patients get their kidneys, no money crosses hands and two people are benefitied by it. The NHS is considering the scheme but who knows.

I'd be interested to see the opinions of others but I doubt it ;)