S'PORE TO ALLOW ORGAN DONATIONS

SINGAPORE : The proposal to allow reimbursement for altruistic living organ donations was accepted by Parliament on Tuesday, but after a heated debate.
Singapore has tough penalties against organ trading, and it is one of the first countries to successfully prosecute an organ trader. There is slim chance for abuse, but it has to weigh this against saving lives, and fairness to organ donors.
The crux of the matter is that it is currently illegal for someone to receive reimbursement after donating one's organs. The Health Ministry believes this is unfair for the donor who is subjected to health risks.
Countries like the UK and US already have reimbursement schemes in place. With reimbursement for organ donations, how does one determine if the act is altruistic? That duty will fall on the hospital transplant ethics committee.
However,Members of Parliament want more details on how living organ donors will be reimbursed during debate over amendments to the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA).

They are concerned that if the amended law is passed, it could encourage the international organ trade. If passed, the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) will be amended to permit the reimbursement of costs and expenses to living donors.
A Hospital Ethics Committee is supposed to determine if organ donations are altruistic. But Members of Parliament wanted more details on how the Health Ministry will regulate and administer the reimbursement process.
For example, how will the committee assess loss of earnings? Would a person who is unemployed receive much less than someone who is working? These are all questions left unanswered in the proposed amendment.
There is also the issue of reimbursing foreign donors because a reasonable quantum in Singapore may end up inducing the poor in the region to sell their organs.

Courtesy: Channel Asia