Organs

In English class a stroy by Joanna Mackay found here http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/backtothelake3/msp/Argument_MacKay.pdf was discussed briefly by our instructor. I read the story and found many touchy issues from religious to legal. Is it legal to sell body parts? Is it moral to sell body parts? Is it right to keep someone from doing with their body what they want to? To be honest none of that interest me. I view the body as a machine with parts. Parts that sometimes need to be replaced.

I have a special needs son and I know what it’s like to have a family member you care deeply about life hanging  in the balance. You would do anything to save them but where would you draw a line. For me I think the answers are not from buying other peoples organs but in producing them. Growing them. I have seen first-hand what modern medicine can do. This article http://www.smithsonianmag.com/40th-anniversary/organs-made-to-order-863675/?no-ist By Gretchen Vogel reveals new and exciting research and even production of producing organs. Genetics has also came along way. I hope in the future organs will be grown for people and life spans increased.

My wife works with the elderly and they too are often victims of their bodies failing parts, especially in the brain. In the end its not just about living longer but quality of life be it constantly chained to a dialysis machine or looseing the sense of who you are along with your memories as old age strikes. I love medicine and I don’t think others should ever have to give up there given parts but research into stem Cells or even growing new organs should be in my opinion completely fair game.

                                                                                Jacob Hollar