A comment or two will be greeted with warm hands.

22 November 2008

Organ Trade / Share

"Hi Miss, I would love to share my liver with you for eternity."
-- 3POINT8

At this age, kids are being taught of the value of sharing and the synergies it brings. Tools, knowledge, vision and feelings. The more we share, the better the society progress. Carpool, libraries, and gyms are great examples based on concept of sharing.

Then again, tools are dead things and knowledge are intangible which makes it easy to be shared. But what about delicate stuff like organs, enzymes, neurons, hormones? At the rate technology is progressing, I wouldn't be surprised if I could share my liver with my dying 'liver-less' friend in the future.

I know this concept of sharing is far-fetched, impossible and downright outrageous (Organ transplant was once considered to be an impossible task and a disgusting one), but think of the possibilities and the benefits it brings.

Imagine a thrill seeker who wants to ride the newly constructed 4g roller coaster ride. Thing is he has a weak heart and experiencing such thrill would trigger a heart attack. Then again, this wouldn't be a problem if his 18yr old grandson can trade his heart with the old man. In the future, I guess trading hearts would be like trading watches. Within a minute, I can take out my heart, and implant someone's heart within my body in a painless manner.
Think of the possibilities. Especially when you are asleep, some of your body would just be totally useless for that period of time (eg: eyes, hands, legs). Why not take two arms from my sleeping housemate, and have four arms so that I can type, write, sms, and use a mouse at the same time. Even better if enzymes and essential minerals trade are possible. The endless possibilities baffles me.

Then again, there is always the problem with ethics. Playing with other people's organ is something to be treated lightly. Even worse, a mugger could stalk you from behind and mug a brain from your head (or two if you so happen to have more than one brain. Even if that happens: No fuss, I could share a brain with my best friend. After all, sharing a brain with him would mean that I get to know if he has been hitting on my sis all along.)

What do you think?
Even if organ sharing / trading is possible, would ethics deter you from doing it?

Post Inspired by The Organ Trade, a Global Black Market


[Top Comment by ColourfulWorld]
Wait a minute. You are talking at another level far beyond our imagination, or our current technology?
I personally would prefer advancement in genetic engineering to provide everyone the ability of cellular regeneration. This way the trade will not happen at the first place as everyone will always have healthy body parts almost forever. But just like your trade, if everyone can't die, the Earth will not be able to sustain the current growth rate. We would soon congest the entire planet, causing total destruction unless we start space colonization. Anyway, I always believe in the principles of supply and demand. If everyone can perform self healing, there won't be any demand for organ trading at all.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wait a minute. You are talking at another level far beyond our imagination, or our current technology?

I personally would prefer advancement in genetic engineering to provide everyone the ability of cellular regeneration. This way the trade will not happen at the first place as everyone will always have healthy body parts almost forever.

But just like your trade, if everyone can't die, the Earth will not be able to sustain the current growth rate. We would soon congest the entire planet, causing total destruction unless we start space colonization.

Anyway, I always believe in the principles of supply and demand. If everyone can perform self healing, there won't be any demand for organ trading at all.

Ryan said...

I get the picture.
But is sound like in future, we will like no other thing but robot. Plug and play organ and other part of body.

Well, if this is what happen in today. I wish I have more then 2 brain, like a multi-core PC. So I can perform more task in a time and save more time. and more hands also. xD

just apple said...

life is about sharing...

Anonymous said...

sharing organs on daily basis is just so ... crazy? ok, i am lack of imagination..
but i agree on organ donation when 1 passed away

kinfook said...

u should seriously pitch this idea to hollywood for a sci fi movie.:)

Anonymous said...

Sharing like.. both of us are using it at the same time? Or more like a 'temporary' transplant?

Cause if both of us were using it, we'd have to stick together like conjoined twins. And that wouldn't be very.. convenient.

Uh, whether it's body part cultivation or plug and play organs, there's always the question on who will benefit from it. I'd probably lose out cause I'm not demanding enough. Or rich enough. Or good looking enough. haha!

The smart get smarter. The hardworking get.. more hands and feet?

p.s. *Ahem* Can i pinjam your small brother. XD

Anonymous said...

If the organ transplantation becomes easier,then I am sure that " Organ transplantation mafia" gang will thrive into the society to loot away all our organs while we sleep :-(

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, maybe we look a bit further. We have the artificial and the "organic" organs to let and for sale. Not bad huh? You reminded me of the Bicentennial Man by Robin Williams.