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The ethics and hazards surrounding living donors Friday, June 2, 2006; Posted: 4:51 p.m. EDT (20:51 GMT)

Barry Mendez is comforted by a friend after his surgery. What Is This?

BALTIMORE, Maryland (CNN) -- Barry Mendez gave one of his kidneys to a stranger -- a good-natured act that has stirred concern among medical ethicists.

It is not unusual for doctors to get organs from corpses or from people who know the recipient. In 2005, for example, about 6,900 transplants involved living donors, nearly all of whom were relatives or friends of the recipient.

By contrast, Mendez is one of only about 400 people nationwide who are known to have ever donated to a stranger.

Mendez is a member of the Jesus Christians, a group that calls itself a "live-by-faith, work-for-God-not-money Christian community." There are 28 Jesus Christians worldwide and 15 have given kidneys. (Watch donating for salvation -- 2:26)

In Australia, where the group was founded, the government for the state of Victoria is suspicious of the Jesus Christians and has banned its members from donating to strangers.

My answer is no, but then I only have one kidney anyway.

Take care,

Gordon.

My answer?

NO

Nope...

Why suspicious??

Accountable wrote: Why suspicious??


Maybe Gordon thinks that money changed hands.



My answer to the original question.....no

I probably wouldn't, but I'm baffled as to why anyone would want to prevent someone else from donating. :-2

I give my blood to strangers all the time... but I can replace that.

NO on the kidney

but YES on bone marrow

Bone Marrow I would donate to others, vital organs while still living family only. If I'm dead I don't care what you take if it can save a life it is yours..:rolleyes:

livers regenerate. What about donating half?

I made a sincere offer to a former member here. Luckily she got lined up with a family member. I would have considered it ammends for some of the things in my past that I cant undo now. I think the trade off would be remarkable.

What is the question?:-3