[RD] Why do you still have two kidneys?

[Manfred Belheim]

I'd imagine there's a non-zero chance of death from surgical complications, as there is with pretty much any surgery of that magnitude. Even if it's a fraction of 1% (which it probably is) you'd still have tens of thousands of people dying if it became a routine thing that everyone donated a kidney. Which I'm guessing (and it is a guess) is probably more than currently die for lack of kidney donors.

 

[El_Machinae]

I'd imagine there's a non-zero chance of death from surgical complications, as there is with pretty much any surgery of that magnitude. Even if it's a fraction of 1% (which it probably is) you'd still have tens of thousands of people dying if it became a routine thing that everyone donated a kidney. Which I'm guessing (and it is a guess) is probably more than currently die for lack of kidney donors.

Your math seems off. If kidney donation killed more people than it saved, we wouldn't allow it. Unless you're imagining a system where there were more donors than people who need a donation

 

[Manfred Belheim]

Your math seems off. If kidney donation killed more people than it saved, we wouldn't allow it. Unless you're imagining a system where there were more donors than people who need a donation

Well yeah I am, but isn't that the whole premise of the OP?

But also as I said, I have no idea what the actual mortality rate for kidney donation is, nor how many people currently die as a direct result of not getting a donor kidney. Those were just my best guesses.

 

[Cutlass]

Because I haven't taken a bullet to the gut in just the right place yet.

 

[emzie]

I did not read about this. How does it affect you?

You're advised to give up drinking altogether, for one thing.

 

[Mouthwash]

I'd imagine there's a non-zero chance of death from surgical complications, as there is with pretty much any surgery of that magnitude. Even if it's a fraction of 1% (which it probably is) you'd still have tens of thousands of people dying if it became a routine thing that everyone donated a kidney. Which I'm guessing (and it is a guess) is probably more than currently die for lack of kidney donors.

No one is asking for everybody to donate (we would have many times more kidneys than could possibly be used). I'm asking for donations to be made until they are no longer needed.

 

[The_J]

What's the actual question?
I don't think there is a system in place for voluntary live donations. At least not as far as I am aware of.
Also surgeries are dangerous. I would not want to get my body cut open for anyone, and get something non-replacable removed. I am a registered bone marrow donor, but I am not sure what I would do if I got asked.

Apart from that, I am an organ-donor (registered in 2 countries). I have not donated blood for a while, but would have been barred to do so anyways, due to my life style in the recent years. I do not know if similar things apply to organs, but would assume so.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

Your math seems off. If kidney donation killed more people than it saved, we wouldn't allow it. Unless you're imagining a system where there were more donors than people who need a donation

That's where we are, because of the "everyone could be saving a life" hyperbole. @Manfred Belheim is undoubtedly correct, if everyone had a kidney removed there would probably be more casualties through complications than there would be lives saved...and we would also face a gigantic storage problem since we would have a couple hundred million spare kidneys to deal with, just in the US.

What's the actual question?
I don't think there is a system in place for voluntary live donations. At least not as far as I am aware of.
Also surgeries are dangerous. I would not want to get my body cut open for anyone, and get something non-replacable removed. I am a registered bone marrow donor, but I am not sure what I would do if I got asked.

Apart from that, I am an organ-donor (registered in 2 countries). I have not donated blood for a while, but would have been barred to do so anyways, due to my life style in the recent years. I do not know if similar things apply to organs, but would assume so.

I think there is a system where you can be tested and registered so that if someone compatible does need a kidney you will get notified, similar to the bone marrow registry.

 

[El_Machinae]

It wasn't hyperbole, it was just grammar that confused. Anyone could be saving a life right now, but it's true that not everyone could engage in the same activity to save a life.

 

[Socrates99]

In case one of my kids needs one. I'm Oneg, I'm a more likely match than my wife. I donate blood because I feel like with my blood type itd be wrong not to.

.....and I do like beer still...

 

[El_Machinae]

With chain donations, you don't need to match your kid. Out there is a donor that is willing to give up a kidney to save his wife, and this donor matches your kid. So what happens is that you agree to donate your kidney to his wife, and he gives his kidney to your kid.

 

[Commodore]

Is there a good reason not to?

Yes. Bodily autonomy. If I don't want to donate any of my organs, that's my choice and there shouldn't be any pressure, legal or social, to make me change that choice.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

Yes. Bodily autonomy. If I don't want to donate any of my organs, that's my choice and there shouldn't be any pressure, legal or social, to make me change that choice.

Meh. You gave up bodily autonomy the day you agreed that food was a for profit product.

 

[Commodore]

Meh. You gave up bodily autonomy the day you agreed that food was a for profit product.

Nah. I could still hunt and grow my own food if I really wanted to, and so could most other people. We are all just too lazy to do it.

And remember: you aren't paying for the food, you are paying for the convenience of having it readily available for consumption.

 

[El_Machinae]

My bodily autonomy means that I can socially pressure you as much as I want, lol

 

[Manfred Belheim]

and we would also face a gigantic storage problem

Solved

 

[El_Machinae]

My understanding is that, apart from some slight long-term risks, there isn't much downside to having one kidney - but people regularly die for lack of one. Now don't get me wrong, I'm very hostile towards 'effective altruism' or utilitarian-style thinking, but I can't see any serious reason not donate (aside from the fact that I'm at high risk for polycystic kidney disease). On one side, temporary inconvenience, and on the other, extreme suffering or death.

Is there a good reason not to?

Oh, I didn't answer the practical question. The recovery is actually quite unpleasant. The recipients tend to bounce back awfully quickly, but the donor really does suffer over the course of months. At least, that's the anecdotal responses I've heard from nurses.

Overall, we're fine with one kidney. The main risk is that something would happen that required you to desperately need your other one. But the donation procedure itself shouldn't be under described. It's actually quite heroic.

 

[Farm Boy]

Meh. You gave up bodily autonomy the day you agreed that food was a for profit product.

Lol, sure.

 

[Hygro]

I wasn’t even a marked organ donor until my drivers license renewal this year. I had excuses like my health was (more than) questionable but the truth is the uncertain chance that I’m passing along something troubling to someone in desperate need of a liver is a bull excuse and that was giving me undue coverage for not getting over a mixture of paranoia that I would get unsaved in an accident for the value of my organs, mixed with some existential squeamishness.

You ask a good question mouthwash, I have a lot of answers why not, mostly that I am not down to risk myself so freely. I have a lot of respect for those who do but it’s so far from me that in addition to that respect I almost disapprove.

 

[Mouthwash]

What's the actual question?

Are there any objections to the practice that are even mildly convincing? That's what I'm looking for.

That's where we are, because of the "everyone could be saving a life" hyperbole. @Manfred Belheim is undoubtedly correct, if everyone had a kidney removed there would probably be more casualties through complications than there would be lives saved...and we would also face a gigantic storage problem since we would have a couple hundred million spare kidneys to deal with, just in the US.

Yes. Bodily autonomy. If I don't want to donate any of my organs, that's my choice and there shouldn't be any pressure, legal or social, to make me change that choice.

You sound like, well... a certain other movement dedicated to piling up bodies in the name of autonomy.