MPs to raise issue of legalising organ trading in Parliament

[David]

SINGAPORE: At least two members of parliament have confirmed they will speak about the issue of legalising organ trading in Parliament next week.

 

However, opinions remain split over whether Singapore should even consider the possibility of allowing the sale and purchase of organs.

 

Both MPs - Mdm Halimah Yacob and Dr Lam Pin Min - come from the same Government Parliamentary Committee for Health, but have different opinions with regards to organ trading.

 

Mdm Halimah expressed surprise that the Ministry of Health (MOH) is even considering the possibility of legalising organ trade. She said she is doubtful that legalising the sale of organs will increase supply and eliminate a black market.

 

"My biggest concern is the poor at the end of the day will be subjected to a lot of pressure to sell their kidneys or their organ. I really worry for the day when we get a poor Singaporean (when organ selling is legalised, who) goes to the newspapers, and he advertises for the sale of his organ to the highest bidder, and the highest bidder will not be a Singaporean," she said.

 

Mdm Halimah said to meet the shortage in organ supply, Singapore should instead provide incentives to living donors.

 

She said: "For instance, give the live donor free medical checkups every year. There are many ways we can do that to incentivise people without going into buying and selling of our body parts."

 

However, Dr Lam Pin Min said nine years is too long a wait for organ failure patients.

 

He said: "Organ failure sufferers go through a difficult time and for some, especially those suffering from liver failure, it's a matter of life and death and we should not just disregard their sufferings and forbid organ trading just like that."

 

He suggests that Singapore's Health Ministry set up a workgroup to study the challenges of organ trading.

 

"Instead of calling it sale of organ... it can be a kind of compensation - whether it's in kind or in cash - to the donor who's donating his organ to the recipient," he said.

 

Dr Lam said he will ask MOH to study the possibility of legalising organ trading, while Madam Halimah will ask the same ministry what prompted the change in the position on the issue. - CNA/vm

 

My stand - what would be the impact on HOTA and blood donation?

 

If selling organ could bring a family out of poverty, why not start with paying for blood donation. Blood can be replenished. For a start, at least with the $$$ from donating their blood, the family can buy rice.

[Tigershark1976]

if this can be passed, then the next thing is to set a special tax on such trading..

[Kenneve888]

I think it will be passed eventually. Cos if some day, someone needs a kidney, the law will be change to accomodate him/her.

 

Remember the demolishing of Estate Duty? When the former Finance Minister (FM)who is now the PM was in charge, always said "no" to removing the law, but when DaMann became FM, straightaway remove Estate Law liao. Why like that?....My take is DaMann is just acting on behalf of somebody...cos if the rich Ah Lau ( ) one day wintermelon and beancurd and then kick bucket, the assets all will be exposed. That somebody cannot remove the law lest he be seen to have "conflict of interest". All this smoke screen....

 

(But dun sue me hor, I am sprouting nonsense only. Believe me is your own problem..)

Edited July 15, 2008 by Kenneve888

[Hishercar]

many of these bills or laws will pass and be OK in the near future

 

WHY

 

because alot of MIW are getting old

 

so all these change of laws are to ensure survival or longevity of the elites

 

 

 

You pea sai step aside and let the elite through

 

siam siam leh

[Apollo]

u sud b grateful lah... next time got chance to sell kidney when u borrow fr ahlong, no nid b embarrassed and drag to shopping centers to buy electronic goods then make monthly payment for exorbitant interest rates.

 

ahlong bring u to sell kidney 1 time can liaoz.

 

at least dun hv to sell backside 1st.

[Shsoh]

Most likely will implement a stamp duty or GST on organ trading. How can don't get any $$$ with money transacting before your eyes...????

Edited July 15, 2008 by Shsoh

[Genie47]

This is not a reply to you David.

 

This is a step back in ethics. After going through all the comments from the bloggers at My Paper, including the bimbo Dawn, I say they have no f***ing clue what is going on.

 

Ever wondered why nobody offers you money for donating blood? The blood bank doesn't pay blood donors. They only offer you Milo to drink and iron tabs. You do get some medical incentives in hospitals if you produce your regular donor card. That's about it.

 

Now why not money? If there is money involved, the item is priced. An economic "commodity". So imagine this scenario: money is offered for blood if you donate. Then who donates? The poor, the drug addicts and the compulsive gamblers.

 

Does anybody see anything wrong with that? It is the socio-economically well off that becomes parasitic vampires feeding off those people.

 

So what about these people that donate organs for a price? A savior? A samaritan? Nope? An animal. An animal bred by society to feed your desires for a good life because you can buy it. A good life to enjoy more wine, woman and song. More good years.

 

Please don't give the f*** excuse that you are helping them. Helping a compulsive gambler? He'll spend all that money he got from selling that organ on a table in our new casinos. Help the poor? They'll just spend it off in some brand new TV, maybe. Why is this so? People sell to feed their desires too.

 

A person who donates voluntarily out of compassion when found is a human being.

 

If this law is passed, all of you walking around on the streets are nothing but commodities. Dehumanized, farm animals ready to be bought.

Edited July 15, 2008 by Genie47

[Apollo]

warou.. u call her bimbo. she just sued XX. wait she add u to her lowyar lizt

[Boyboy]

why do you seem to have this notion that we are more than just commodities?

 

i honestly have this opinion that we are all pawns in the big picture of things. if pple want to buy or sell organs, it's their choice.

 

while i kinda understand ur points, i dun really feel the same way as u

[Kenneve888]

many of these bills or laws will pass and be OK in the near future

 

WHY

 

because alot of MIW are getting old

 

so all these change of laws are to ensure survival or longevity of the elites

 

 

 

You pea sai step aside and let the elite through

 

siam siam leh

 

Sorly sorly I blocked your way...I sala, I kana sai, you elite forgive me please

[Solar]

when they talk about going to 'leegalise' the trade, in the background, the bigger picture, could it be 'cos some elite is actually needing it (something like the change to estate duties to exempt tax)?

[Genie47]

As explained above. We are human. Wars dehumanize us. Crimes dehumanize us. The flesh trade dehumanize us.

 

Now they want to pass legisltation for dehumanizing. Might as well lock us up in cages like turkeys.

[Apollo]

put it this way... now is ur chance.

 

to stay together with L337 (in the same ward)

 

and move forward together to the operating table...

 

 

i really envy u....

[Vroomtattat]

if this can be passed, then the next thing is to set a special tax on such trading..

 

Huh?? TOT?

 

Transplant

Organ

Tax

 

[Route88]

My stand - what would be the impact on HOTA and blood donation?

 

No sperm donation?

[David]

Your reply is one of the fews that look at the issue instead of taking potshot.

 

I mentioned getting paid for blood donation as a alternative to the other threads where it was highlighted as a way out for those who are poor. Blood has a shelf life so I think it may not be feasible. But once you sold one kidney, you are left with only one for yourself. No more if your children need it. Anyway I do not agree to selling blood nor organ.

 

Imagine one fine day you are walking and your hp has a incoming sms - your kidney is needed, offering $$$$$$$$.

 

On organ trading, I agree we would become like a commoditiy item. So the $$$$$$ can buy from the poorer folks(who needs $$$$) BUT where are the poor going to buy from?

[Apollo]

can donate directly...

 

ask the peesai ong, CEO of bakuke club

[Hishercar]

the day government agreed to open casino

 

it is the day singapore boi sai leau