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Asides

Desi Dr. Death

By: Runa :+: Under: Asides, Crime, Maccaca Crimewatch
On: ⋅ January 30, 2008 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

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Police in India have launched an international manhunt for Dr. Amit Kumar ( alias Dr.Santosh Raut) for masterminding an organ snatching scheme . Poor laborers from Uttar Pradesh had their kidneys removed without their consent. The intended recipients for the kidneys were rich foreigners and NRIs. The involuntary kidney donors received between $ 1200 and $ 2500 as a price for their organs and their silence.

“I was approached by a stranger for a job. When I accepted, I was taken to a room with gunmen,” Mohammed Salim told India’s local NDTV television channel. “They tested my blood, gave me an injection and I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I had pain in my lower abdomen and I was told that my kidney had been removed “(link)

There is no doubt that stealing kidneys from the poor and disenfranchised is absolutely abhorrent. I hope that Dr.Kumar is caught and punished.However, the whole area of organ donation is extremely complex. In India, the law on organ donation is very clear : donation is prohibited except for donations between blood relatives and spouses. The Government is now considering amendments.

There are economic and ethical issues at stake here. Here is an interesting article that discusses these. Personally , I am conflicted. I used to think capitalism should be allowed and allowing monetary reimbursement for organs would encourage donation. But who will regulate the trade? Doesn’t this mean that rich people will live while the poor will die? On the other hand, is that not what happens in any case? Those with no money do not get medical attention while those with money get the best care. Still, I cannot believe that altrusim is motivation enough. What do you think?

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