Scuffle for organs sparks donor debate in Singapore

Scuffle for organs sparks donor debate in Singapore
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070228/od_nm/singapore_organs_dc

I personally believe that fault lies in the recently amended Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA), that allows for mandatory harvesting of healthy organs should any non-muslim Singaporean or Permanent Residents demise – unless the person has specificallty opted out beforehand— so as to ease the current organ shortage.

The organ, ultimately, belongs to the donor, and hence it should only be just if he, or his family, has the right to decide whether he will take it along to the coffin or save another life.

Instead of legally “impounding” the organs, the government should attempt a softer approach and display flexibility in such circumstances, so as to reduce distress felt by the family members.

I feel that the choice of donation should be voluntary and never be an obligation “forced” upon by the government. We should empathise with the reluctance to donate the deceased’s organs and respect their decision. What’s more: there is absolutely nothing to gain in this unfair trade we call – charity. It is simply not pragmatic.

The fact is: humans are selfish by nature. Ugly as it is, face it. With the exception of humanitarians, who would risks their lives to donate their organs without any gain except a thank-you letter in return? This leads me to wonder: Should organ trading be legalised? Is money the only measure for fair trade?

National Neuroscience director Associate Prof Lee Wei Ling, the princess of the Lee Empire, argued that incentivising a potential donor with money is ethical, for the end result, she said, is still another life saved.

I beg to differ.

First of all, it is immoral transact parts of the human body as if any other commodity. Indeed, it can save more lives, but who can ensure that the recipient’s life is worth saving? He could well be a serial murderer with kidney failure, but so happens to be filthy rich.

Besides, domination of the wealthy and the deprivation of the poor of organ transplants opportunities would be inevitable.

Secondly, one cannot define how much an organ is worth, for they are not meant to be traded. One cannot price Einstein’s brain and trade for his intelligence’s worth with a MasterCard. That is, unless, he is willing to trade.

As such, unfair transactions arise. People in the Third World countries might trade off their organs at low prices as a desperate resort to egress the poverty cycle, benefiting organ traffickers when organs are sold to the wealthy at exorbitant prices.

Hence, I feel that the government has its reasons to enforce the HOTA for I believe Singaporeans are willing to donate their organs even before their eternal sleep, only that they are lacking a driving force.

Evaluating various viewpoints, I feel the Sim’s family is stubborn and inconsiderate not to donate to the needy – for they had nothing to lose. Neither did they have anything to gain.

There are two solutions to organ shortage: HOTA or organ transaction.

Or simply, you can choose not to donate at all.

(500 words)