Doctor Questions Morality of Banning Payment for Kidney Donations

Dr. Hillel Gershoni, author of 'Other People's Money,' argues that the ethical stance against compensating organ donors, particularly for kidneys, leads to unnecessary suffering and death for thousands awaiting transplants. In an interview with Arutz 7, Gershoni acknowledged the importance of voluntary donations and organizations like 'Matnat Chaim' but stated it's insufficient to meet the demand.

He contends that the prohibition on payment, rooted in a reluctance to mix money with altruistic acts, effectively condemns thousands of people with kidney failure to painful and expensive dialysis treatments. Gershoni believes the societal taboo against a regulated organ market lacks rational justification and has severe negative consequences. He noted that Israeli law changed about twenty years ago, moving from a complete ban on compensation to allowing donors rest days and some compensation, which significantly increased donation rates, indicating state recognition of the need for some form of reward.

Citing statistics for 2024, Gershoni highlighted that 1,643 new cases requiring dialysis were added in Israel, a process that shortens lives. This means 7,060 patients annually endure this suffering, with deteriorating quality of life and reduced lifespan, while only 400-500 voluntary donations occur each year, leaving about a thousand people without a transplant.

Gershoni addressed common arguments against payment, such as creating a class of poor people without kidneys and wealthy recipients. He countered that the current system already disadvantages the poor, as the wealthy can find ways to obtain organs abroad. He also criticized the paternalistic attitude that denies individuals the choice to be compensated for donation, questioning why donating to a relative is acceptable while financial compensation is not.

He suggested that fear of associating money with donations deters potential donors and that the ethical argument that the human body is not for sale, if applied strictly, would negate all donations, even voluntary ones. Gershoni urged a focus on the tangible harm caused by the current prohibition, emphasizing that thousands of lives could be saved or dramatically improved. He observed that while there is a growing understanding of the issue, populism hinders progress among decision-makers, despite the significant number of people with relatives needing transplants.