The Kidney Dialogues: Other Ways To End The List

by Patrick Appel

A reader writes:

Thanks for pointing out that great article on kidney transplants. It does indeed make a very persuasive case for financial compensation of kidney donors. Another way to increase donations, not mentioned in the article, would be to move from from an opt-in system like we have now, to an opt-out system like that of Spain or Belgium, where all are presumed to be organ donors unless they deliberately opt out of the system. Or, for a really controversial solution, how about offering Green Cards to immigrants who donate a kidney?