ST Forum 20 Jan 2007
I REFER to Mdm Lim Chiong Luan's comment ('Will this day come? 'O $
Pay $, No $ Sell Kidney''; ST, Jan 1
on Dr Lee Wei Ling's call to allow organ trading.
It is not easy to be objective when we are thinking about issues
that evoke basic human emotions like love and fear. Mdm Lim is
quite right to say that if we allow the sale of human organs in
Singapore, the rich will buy and the poor will sell. That is the
nature of demand and supply in a free market, so why are we
suddenly so shocked and fearful that money can do quite a bit of
magic? In fact, Singaporeans are already buying organs from outside
Singapore because we can afford it and it is an option.
However, I do not think that's the spirit of Dr Lee's argument for
legalising the sale of human organs in Singapore. Someone has to be
objective. If a good person like Mdm Lim could point out the
possible evil consequences of such a proposal, then I am infinitely
grateful that there is another person such as Dr Lee, who's both
objective and brave enough to point out the obvious good in such a
proposal: It will save lives, and each life is precious.
I am sure that any competent government would have the ability to
put in place checks and balances to prevent abuse and to stop the
poor from being further disadvantaged, and implement them well
enough for real benefits to be seen.
Jim Chow Wen Kah
