Kidney For Sale

Would you ever sell an organ? How much would you charge for let's say, your kidney? It may seem like a strange question but as the number of people in need of a transplant continues to rise, some transplant professionals believe a kidney market may be a life saving answer

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, today more than 88,000 Americans are currently waiting for a kidney transplant. This number has increased by more than 5,000 since 2009. While there is no shortage of demand, it is the supply that is dwindling. Today, Dr. Marc Siegel discussed this growing shortage on Varney & Co.

"This is an enormous problem," said Dr. Siegel. "Over 4,500 people are dying every year waiting for a kidney."

To decrease this number, some professionals have suggested creating a private kidney market where donors can offer their organs in exchange for cash. This already takes place on the black market, says Dr. Siegel, but these professionals are seeking a legal exchange under a government umbrella.

"I am against it from a Hippocratic oath point of view. I don't want doctors participating in this kind of stuff because what will end up happening is, it will hurt people's health," said Dr. Siegel.

Dr. Siegel listed abuse as a main concern, the idea that people will "risk their own health to make a buck," but he did not oppose the idea of financial incentives for donors. Instead, he encouraged seeking permission from potential donors to take their kidney after they die.

"Organ recovery is the better solution. Get those organs out right after someone dies and pay them for it."