Stolen Organs or Your Life?

[Broomstick]

I'm not sure. Presumably the one the organs are stolen from is already dead, right? So I'm not doing him any further disservice by receiving it.

Depends on the organ. There was a doctor arrested in India recently for allegedly stealing kidneys. There are numerous witnesses with only one remaining kidney coming forward.

In theory, you could also remove bone marrow, portions of the liver, corneas, and a few other things without killing the donor/victim.

Of course, it's not beyond possibility that someone would simply murder for profit.

[Gullible Jones]

I rather hope I'd have the resolve to refuse.

[Sea Skimmer]

It would be pretty stupid to have the organ go to waste and me die, while whoever it was stolen from sure isn’t going to get it back. However I would prefer that a stolen organ was only a last resort.

[Dark Flame]

I'm not sure. Presumably the one the organs are stolen from is already dead, right? So I'm not doing him any further disservice by receiving it.

Then, turn the fucker in.

I agree with you 100%. It's not going to hurt them more, take it and then if you want to take the high road try to stop it from happening before more people die.

[Wyrm]

(I hope I never have to face this scenario for real.)

Even if the donor is not dead (such as in the case of a kidney), putting it back where it belongs involves risk to his life for dubious benefit (assuming he recovered fully/is recovering nicely — if he's dead, he's dead). I need the kidney because I'll die without it (dialysis only goes so far), so my own analysis remains the same. I think I'd take the kidney, then turn the fucks in.

Things get dicier if the fuckers take the only kidney.

[Wyrm]

Ghetto Edit: Aaaand I think I've cast the wrong vote. Damn.

[Singular Intellect]

OK fine, since you used the devastating "point out my nationality and my disregard for etiquette" attack, I have no choice but to concede that you must be telling the truth: you're so brave, you would face death without blinking an eye, you big macho brave American. I'm in awe of your courage, Mr. Keyboard Warrior.

I honestly fail to see why one would feel the need to mock or admire anyone who doesn't fear death as much as another person.

Some people are simply more fearful than others, and your tone would seem ridiculas when applied to, for example, someone who claimed they were fearless of worms.

[Darth Wong]

OK fine, since you used the devastating "point out my nationality and my disregard for etiquette" attack, I have no choice but to concede that you must be telling the truth: you're so brave, you would face death without blinking an eye, you big macho brave American. I'm in awe of your courage, Mr. Keyboard Warrior.

I honestly fail to see why one would feel the need to mock or admire anyone who doesn't fear death as much as another person.

Some people are simply more fearful than others, and your tone would seem ridiculas when applied to, for example, someone who claimed they were fearless of worms.

Fear of worms is irrational, but fear of death is not. It is, in fact, part of our instinctive behaviour, hard-wired into us due to evolution. Anyone who claims that he does not fear death without actually having faced it is just talking out his ass. What part of this are you too fucking stupid to understand?

[wjs7744]

To tell the truth, I don't think those three who voted no can be considered truly honest. After all, you never know until you are actually in that situation, and anybody who has ever been put in a situation like that either took the organ or is now dead, and therefore cannot vote.

I rather hope I'd have the resolve to refuse.

See, now that was an honest answer. Doesn't like the thought that he might be willing to sacrifice another to save his life, but not claiming that it will never happen.

[Singular Intellect]

OK fine, since you used the devastating "point out my nationality and my disregard for etiquette" attack, I have no choice but to concede that you must be telling the truth: you're so brave, you would face death without blinking an eye, you big macho brave American. I'm in awe of your courage, Mr. Keyboard Warrior.

I honestly fail to see why one would feel the need to mock or admire anyone who doesn't fear death as much as another person.

Some people are simply more fearful than others, and your tone would seem ridiculas when applied to, for example, someone who claimed they were fearless of worms.

Fear of worms is irrational, but fear of death is not. It is, in fact, part of our instinctive behaviour, hard-wired into us due to evolution. Anyone who claims that he does not fear death without actually having faced it is just talking out his ass. What part of this are you too fucking stupid to understand?

I understand your point perfectly. However, I haven't seen the part where you determined this particular individual hasn't faced a lethal situation previously upon which, by your own logic, they could assert so.

[Singular Intellect]

Edit: As to the OP, the answer "I don't know" or "I'm not sure" should be included as voting options, since none of the current ones are ones I'd honestly pick.

[Darth Wong]

I understand your point perfectly. However, I haven't seen the part where you determined this particular individual hasn't faced a lethal situation previously upon which, by your own logic, they could assert so.

Sure you have, you're just too fucking stupid to realize it. It was the part where he answered my post by attacking my nationality and manners rather than denying my claim. And the fact is that most people have never faced death up close, so it's hardly an unreasonable assumption.

[Singular Intellect]

I understand your point perfectly. However, I haven't seen the part where you determined this particular individual hasn't faced a lethal situation previously upon which, by your own logic, they could assert so.

Sure you have, you're just too fucking stupid to realize it. It was the part where he answered my post by attacking my nationality and manners rather than denying my claim. And the fact is that most people have never faced death up close, so it's hardly an unreasonable assumption.

Fair enough then.

[Twoyboy]

Ahh, I'm glad to see when people aren't quite so veiled as making a completely anonymous vote in amongst thousands that most people think like me.

Accept it and spend the rest of my life hating myself for it.

Meh, I'd get over it. I wouldn't be proud of it, but I'd understand why I did it. I might even try to justify it with some specious reasoning or an obtuse metaphor.

An interesting juxtaposition of the OT would be...would you accept stolen organs to save the life of a loved one?

I absolutely would. In fact, I have a stange feeling I'd probably steal the organ myself if one of my kids needed it. Ok, probably not, but I'd consider it strongly.

Edit: As to the OP, the answer "I don't know" or "I'm not sure" should be included as voting options, since none of the current ones are ones I'd honestly pick.

I intentionally didn't do that, as too many people wold select that answer. What I probably should have done is to phrase the question: What do you THINK you would do...?

*psst* He's Australian... Not much better I suppose in terms of macho, but still...

Oi! Some of us are quite wussy, thankyou very much.

[Darth Wong]

*psst* He's Australian... Not much better I suppose in terms of macho, but still...

Oi! Some of us are quite wussy, thankyou very much.

I know enough about your politics to know that Australians are American Wannabes, based on the shit you keep voting for.

[Spyder]

If I was dying and someone came along and said "hey, if you want I'll cut that guy over there open and fetch a kidney for you." I'd like to think I'd say no but you really can't tell until you're in that situation.

If some guy came along with a kidney on ice and said "hey, want this? I got it from some guy over the road." I'd have less of a problem accepting as it would probably go to waste otherwise, sure it sucks for the guy it just came out of but he's probably not going to be getting it back anyway, it may as well go to some good use.

Of course by accepting I would be encouraging them to continue doing what they do so I wouldn't be completely guilt free.

[K. A. Pital]

You get that kidney or what have you, and then you never see those people again, because they'll be gone.

Inform the police so they catch them just post-operation. There's no problem in getting them all, including surgeons and trader representatives, jailed. If you're willing to risk getting jailed as well, of course, which I would personally.

[Twoyboy]

*psst* He's Australian... Not much better I suppose in terms of macho, but still...

Oi! Some of us are quite wussy, thankyou very much.

I know enough about your politics to know that Australians are American Wannabes, based on the shit you keep voting for.

The funny thing is, if you ask the average Australian about Americans they'll start letting the insults fly. Most Aussie's just don't realise how Americanised our culture is.

However, in my experience GWB did more than anyone could have hoped to reduce American sentiment in our country.

Also, just out of curiosity, what are some examples of the "shit you keep voting for" that make us American Wannabes? Serious question.

[The Vortex Empire]

If it was my only chance to survive, then yes, I would.

[brianeyci]

I suppose it would depend on whether it was a long, protracted and pain free death or a short and brutal death. If my health suddenly took a turn for the worst and a doctor told me I was going to die in a month or less, I'd be more inclined to do something illegal.

But if it was a long-term, painless death over years with dialysis and especially if I already lived a good life (if I was already retired), I wouldn't be likely to go to another country. I'd automatically distrust such a doctor, thinking it possible he'd botch it. After all, biologically pain is the mechanism by which you're encouraged to stay alive. No pain, I imagine even cowards could let it slide.

A lot of people would be too fucking lazy to give a damn shit if there wasn't any pain. Besides, this is a choice many people would not face. Many people would have friends or family, and they could donate a kidney.

[brianeyci]

What are the chances Bin Laden could've made it to Pakistan and gotten a kidney transplant for a bit of money? How common are Dr. Horrors?

[Broomstick]

Given the type of charismatic leader bin Laden is(was) it wouldn't surprise me if some of his followers would happily volunteer to give him a kidney.

[Junghalli]

Ideally, I would refuse such a transplant, but if push comes to shove I honestly don't know. It'd certainly be very tempting.

I might take the suggestion of allowing him to perform the transplant and then turning him in. The person who got killed for his organs is already dead, so there's no benefit to him in letting it go to waste. I don't know whether the lawyers would buy that logic but I hope I could at least have the courage to face the possibility of jail time if not death. I'd hate myself for the rest of my life if I didn't at least do my best to get the guy off the streets and shut his operation down.

[Broomstick]

You know, everyone is talking about the organ "donor" being dead.

Yet there is a big news story about stolen kidneys where all the original owners are still alive.

So --- WOULD it make a difference to you to take a stolen organ knowing the donor was still alive vs. certainly dead?

[Darth Wong]

Also, just out of curiosity, what are some examples of the "shit you keep voting for" that make us American Wannabes? Serious question.

Politicians who adopt a bellicose international posture, who spout a lot of anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric, who speak of Australia being founded on Christian values, and who try to censor the Internet.