Organ Transplants and Scarcity (Post #5)

Around the world, governments and citizens make decisions on how to best use scarce resources.  In the case of organs, science has made great strides with surgeries that allow one person's organ to be put into another body, thereby extending the life of someone who otherwise faces death.  38% of American adults are identified as organ donors on our driver's licenses.  A deceased person's family have the option to choose to donate at the time of death, as well.  People can also voluntarily give up their own organs while they are alive. .For example, we have two kidneys and can survive with one, bone marrow, and blood and plasma can be given.
The problem is that not nearly enough of these organs are available and people in need are placed on lists during which time many die while waiting their turn--having never received their donor organs because of the shortage of organs.  The only incentive is the rewarding feeling of helping someone else and obviously that isn't enough to solve the problem.  A blackmarket exists in some countries where those with enough money can find an organ while those without cannot.
In the nation of Israel, they have a long history of problems getting organs.  "Most Jews are under the mistaken impression that traditional Jewish law requires a body be buried whole at all costs," according to Robby Berman.  So in 2008, a law was passed in Israel to give donor card carriers a legal right to priority treatment if they should require an organ transplant.  Also, families who agree to donate the organs of deceased loved ones may accept money to "memorialize" the deceased.  These decisions to donate must be made by the individual while they are alive in order to qualify.  So, Israel has become the 1st nation in the world to legally do both of these things.

Read either linked article underlined blue above and consider the following questions.
Are you an organ donor or do you plan to be one?
What could be done to help encourage your decision or the decisions of others to become one?
If you needed a kidney or other organ, how far would you go to get one?
What should the United States do to increase the quantity of organs available for transplant?
Consider and explain both the pros(benefits) and cons(costs) of the idea you present.

Please post your comments by Wednesday Jan. 26