Widespread Misery

There is currently a widespread shortage of food to feed millions of humans in the so-called developing countries. This terrible situation has not gone unnoticed.

There is currently a widespread incidence of death of healthy young men in wars. This terrible situation has not gone unnoticed.

There is currently a widespread incidence of death of young and not so young human beings due to car accidents. Many of these deceased are citizen of the U.S. This terrible situation has not gone unnoticed.

Does this mean that we shouldn’t help patients in need for a healthy kidney? Of course we should. I just want to point out that shortage of non-vital transplant organs is just one of the many huge problems.

Logic, yes. But Justice?

The reasoning about being an autonomous person while deliberating about selling one’s kidney follows a logical way of thinking, but not an objective one! It follows the logic of the free market: everything is to buy, as long as you have money. But I do have my doubts as a Humanist about the justice of it.

If I have enough money to live properly, to feed my children, to educate them …, I can deliberate whether to sell my kidney or not (best would be if I decide to just give it away). If I am poor, my children are starving, and there are no prospects of getting a better life, it is rather an act of despair, not an autonomous decision!

Humanists should be concerned about justice in the world, justice towards all living beings, disregarding their social status. Of course selling a kidney to be able to buy food for your children could be an act of great love for them. But with a close relative or friend waiting for a kidney transplant, you could show your great love and concern for his or her well-being by donating your kidney. Mind: in a modern hospital, in the best conditions and with excellent care after the operation. On top of it: the chance to live as healthy as possible in this world, healthy food, a healthy house, etc … And all we need is 16 loving human beings in the inner circle around the patient. And the donated kidney can be transplanted from one operation table to the other: no planes, no transport, and without delay, immediately, as fresh as can be!

It is important for Humanists that some aspects of life should be kept away from free market rules, as far as possible: Amongst others, I am thinking of medicine and schools, as everybody should have the right to be cared for and educated properly. Being treated for illness or being trained in schools may not depend on your social status, not on your wealth nor your misery. Every political system wins by having healthy and trained and schooled individuals!

It could be good to read John Rawls, and surely Amartya Sen. Maybe we can learn from them what is the best way to get justice and happiness not only for the happy few, so that we can try and – who knows maybe succeed – to change the world.

Sonja Eggerickx, President, IHEU

See also: Why markets in non-vital human transplant organs should be legalized