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by meanyman from Cleveland

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Monday Unplugged--Controversy over organ donation
Mar 19, 2007 | 6:39 AM
Category: News
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In the interest of disclosure, I am an organ donor.  I have the sticker on my driver's license. 

With that out of the way, let me tell you what's happening in South Carolina.

The senate is looking at a piece of legislation that would give prisoners a shorter sentence if they agree to be an organ or tissue donor.

How much shorter.  6 months.

Heres something to consider: Every year, more than 6500 people die while waiting for an organ transplant, because there aren't enough donors.

The proposal brings up a lot of ethical questions about basically paying or compensating someone for agreeing to donate their organs.

It also brings up a lot of logistical questions. 

Does the donation have to be made while they're in prison?

What about Death row inmates?

What's to stop a prisoner from saying, "Sure I'll do it" then leaving prison and never going through with it.

What do you think?

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Member Comments Total Comments: 13
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klh1886 read my blog view my photos
Mar 19, 2007 | 7:43 AM

I would really think that most would agree to being an organ donor, and then never going through with it. I'm really not to sure how they would follow up on that anyway. You get out of prison. Ten years later your organs are not usuable for some reason. Or you just dissapear. It would be a great idea if it were possible. I don't think it is.
mrsjenk66 read my blog
Mar 19, 2007 | 7:48 AM

Organ donation?? That is ridiculous. All of the inmates would probably say yes to that and when it comes down to it, Their families could say no, if they are unconscious. How would the state keep track of all that at all the hospitals. What if they move out of state after they a released? I dont think that they have investigated this enough. Jen K in Massillon.
bob1950
Mar 19, 2007 | 8:07 AM

How many of you that are against this measure are registered organ donors? How do we convince more people to become organ donors? As these inmates are not only getting six months off of their sentences, so it would not affect anyone convicted of a serious offense. Probably those with minor offenses.
Davgski
Mar 19, 2007 | 8:29 AM

Hi
About the Inmates who want a reduced sentence for organ donations , i say " sure , go ahead if its a major organ like a heart for time served.
survivormom read my blog view my photos
Mar 19, 2007 | 8:31 AM

I think this is ridiculous!!! What about all of us good abiding citizens. What do we get out of being a organ donor? How about a tax break. If we become an organ donor maybe we could just pay taxes at all. Who comes up with these ideas? It would never work as stated above. We are talking about criminals here...the biggest cons walking on earth.
survivormom read my blog view my photos
Mar 19, 2007 | 8:32 AM

oops i left out...NOT pay taxes at all.
cgcdamgv
Mar 19, 2007 | 8:34 AM

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PapaHarley
Mar 19, 2007 | 9:16 AM

No to early release! In Ohio you can change your status or what organs you want donated. If you are signed up as an organ donor, the State can take your body for research or whatever they want to do with it! You have to contact the State to change your status....something the BMV doesn't tell you when you sign up!
hillbilly67 read my blog view my photos
Mar 19, 2007 | 5:05 PM

Too expensive to have organs tested and we are going to end up paying for the bill. Half of these criminals are drug and alcohol abuse and what would their organs be good for? REsearch?
Crazy idea. You do the crime you do the time.
burtontuckey read my blog
Mar 19, 2007 | 8:28 PM

All you people who are dead set against this early release program consider if you were one of the thousands of people deathly sick, waiting for a kidney to save your life. I imagine that you would have different feelings to get a call that one of the kidney's that an inmate had donated was a perfect match for you. Sometimes we have to think with a little more commpassion than what we normally us.
klh1886 read my blog view my photos
Mar 19, 2007 | 10:49 PM

Sadly, people in those positions are most likely extremely desperate. That's why the black market is booming with stolen body parts. Desperate people do desperate things. How well will these donors be screened? What exactly can a live donor donate? As heartless as it sounds the financial concerns has to be taken into consideration. Being wards of the state all monies for tests will be passed on to the lawful citizen. Who is already burdened down with 52% taxes as it is. This would become a very tough thing to pull off. I feel most people do have compassion but they also are not happy being strapped with the bills of a criminal.
m-tru read my blog
Mar 20, 2007 | 8:44 AM

I am not looking to be rewarded as an organ donor. I think the only way they should be able to do this is if they donate while they are in prison..such as a kidney..but do not let them say yes and believe in years to come they are gonna even be healthy enough to donate. I would be afraid to recieve and organ from any convict.God knows what drugs they could have been doing or for that matter how many people they have had sex with. I think the best thing for them if they truly want to get 6 months off their time is make them go in the military and become true productive citizens for 3 months. Then maybe just maybe they will realize to stop destroying the world we are trying to build and live in.
butterflykisses427 read my blog view my photos
Mar 21, 2007 | 7:13 PM

Since it is only six months then why not. They have to donate the organ before they are released not after though. This way they can't disappear.
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meanyman

No, I don't drink coffee, even though I get up at 2:30AM every morning. Todd Meany here, if you didn't guess. I do love working in the mornings though. The crew is great, and it's nice to be home in the afternoon so I can hang out with my 3 boys.

Member Since: 9/6/2006


 

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