Big Think

Katja Grace on January 9, 2008, 5:55 PM

What kind of policies are you looking at to solve this problem?

Katja Grace on January 9, 2008, 10:55 PM

What kind of policies are you looking at to solve this problem?

Ryne Cee on January 17, 2008, 1:16 PM

I think that compulsory organ donation upon death can make major strides toward reducing the shortages of available transplant organs. My belief is that you will run into considerable barriers attempting to persuade healthy people to undergo surgery, which is never without risk, to alleviate the shortage of kidneys available. You mention that you were investigating policy changes but you never elaborated on what these would be (also I am curious how you are considering implementing policy for what seems to be a voluntary decision to help those affected by kidney impairment). Anxious to hear more, RyneCee

Ryne Cee on January 17, 2008, 6:16 PM

I think that compulsory organ donation upon death can make major strides toward reducing the shortages of available transplant organs. My belief is that you will run into considerable barriers attempting to persuade healthy people to undergo surgery, which is never without risk, to alleviate the shortage of kidneys available. You mention that you were investigating policy changes but you never elaborated on what these would be (also I am curious how you are considering implementing policy for what seems to be a voluntary decision to help those affected by kidney impairment). Anxious to hear more, RyneCee

Shawn Wilson on January 30, 2008, 6:21 AM

have you researched cloning kidney's I don't know the laws or regulations or even the progress we have make in this area but it sounds like something we should be putting our money into…

Shawn Wilson on January 30, 2008, 11:21 AM

have you researched cloning kidney’s I don’t know the laws or regulations or even the progress we have make in this area but it sounds like something we should be putting our money into…

Teresa Goodell on June 1, 2008, 7:56 AM

I disagree with encouraging more healthy people to donate organs. Procedures like nephrectomy, partial hepatectomy, and partial pancreatectomy are simply too risky. These are not trivial procedures, and few people are willing to undergo them for an unknown stranger. Switching to an opt-out process for dead donors is desirable, but I acknowledge it will not solve the problem.

Here's a crazy idea: let's start taking care of the people with diabetes, hypertension and family histories of organ failure. Let's keep them from reaching the state where they need a transplant. Let's provide them will health care, not just medical care.

Teresa Goodell on June 1, 2008, 11:56 AM

I disagree with encouraging more healthy people to donate organs. Procedures like nephrectomy, partial hepatectomy, and partial pancreatectomy are simply too risky. These are not trivial procedures, and few people are willing to undergo them for an unknown stranger. Switching to an opt-out process for dead donors is desirable, but I acknowledge it will not solve the problem.

Here’s a crazy idea: let’s start taking care of the people with diabetes, hypertension and family histories of organ failure. Let’s keep them from reaching the state where they need a transplant. Let’s provide them will health care, not just medical care.

Beth Punga on January 5, 2009, 9:41 PM

“healthcare” is a must, but many people loose their kidneys through no fault of their own. To imply that kidney failure would not exist but for the sufferer’s own faults is very unfair. My husband is slim, fit, with low blood pressure, and a healthy life style. He has been on hemo dialysis for 12 years, and worked a regular job for 10 of those years. More than one person I know has lost their kidneys to infections, also not their fault. No one deserves disease.