TV show's prize: one kidney for transplant

[WhiteTara]

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/05/30/Worldandnation/TV_show_s_prize__one_.shtml

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - A Dutch reality show that claims to be trying to draw attention to a shortage of organ donors said Tuesday it would go ahead with a program in which a terminally ill woman will choose a contestant to receive one of her kidneys.

The program, Big Donor Show, has been attacked as unethical and tasteless. One member of the Dutch Parliament suggested the government should block Friday's broadcast.

"We know that this program is super controversial, and some people will think it's tasteless, but we think the reality is even more shocking and tasteless: Waiting for an organ is just like playing the lottery, " Laurens Drillich, chairman of the BNN network, said in a statement.

He said that waiting lists in the Netherlands are more than four years long and that 200 patients die annually for lack of a donor.

All I can say is Yikes!

[Nicole]

1. I'll second your

Yikes!

[dave_p]

2. Yep, the Netherlands scrapes the barrel again

Americans, you are not alone!

[Kiouni]

3. How will this help get more organ donors?

first off this is stupid because these people are probably not compatible anyways:
"Another possible barrier to the transplant is the need for the tissue of the donor and recipient to match as closely as possible, Education Minister Ronald Plasterk said."

Second why not simply get an "Opt-out" Bill going. This has been tried here in the U.S. where you make everyone an organ donor unless they fill out a form saying they don't want to. People are lazy but they got a lot of organs!