Plans by Singapore to allow payments to living organ donors have run into opposition from some lawmakers who fear they may draw indebted foreign workers, according to press reports Tuesday.
One deputy, Halimah Yacob, said the large pool of unskilled foreign workers affected by the financial crisis may turn to donating organs to pay off debts they incurred to get jobs in this affluent city-state.Under existing law it is illegal for a living donor to be given cash, but the Singapore government has proposed legislative amendments that would allow financial compensation to kidney donors.
The issue was debated Monday in parliament where Halimah, a ruling party lawmaker, said some foreign workers "will become a ready, vulnerable pool of organ donors to be exploited and abused."
"To a desperate foreign worker, even a reimbursement of 10,000 (Singapore) dollars (6,600 US) would be attractive compared to going home empty-handed with a huge debt waiting for him," she was quoted as saying by The Straits Times.
About Transplantation
Since the early times, the novel idea of transplanting tissues and other body parts from one organism to the other has captured the imagination of successive generations.
Since the early times, the novel idea of transplanting tissues and other body parts from one organism to the other has captured the imagination of successive generations.
Lam cautioned that Singapore might become known as a centre for "transplant tourism," saying an independent third party should be involved in negotiations on financial compensation for donors.
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Anatomy of Urinary System
Animation & slides showing anatomy of urinary system and the role of kidneys in getting rid of the waste products and excess fluid from our body to keep us healthy.
Animation & slides showing anatomy of urinary system and the role of kidneys in getting rid of the waste products and excess fluid from our body to keep us healthy.
"Many countries have already updated their legislation to provide for such reimbursements," Khaw told parliament, naming the United States.
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‘Organ’izing Kidney Sale
A detailed documentary on the pros and cons of legalizing the Kidney trade in India –sparked by the Gurgaon Kidney donation racket.
A detailed documentary on the pros and cons of legalizing the Kidney trade in India –sparked by the Gurgaon Kidney donation racket.
The Singapore government proposed changing the law after the city-state's first known organ-trading case, in which an ailing Singaporean retail magnate was caught trying to buy a kidney from an Indonesian.
Source-AFP
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