Kidneys for Sale

Recently I answered the phone from a number I didn’t recognize. The following is a paraphrased transcript.

John: Hello
X: Hi, this is _____ _____, may I speak to a Mrs. Pate (pronounced Pat)
John: No, you just missed her, is there anything I can help you with?
X: Just tell her that _____ is calling from the Kidney foundation
John: Oh, you are in luck….I’ve got a kidney
X: No, that’s alright sir
John: Matter of fact, I’ve got 2 and they’re just barely 30 years old. They’re awesome, I’ve never had any problems with them.
X: No sir, that’s alright
John: What do you mean….are you trying to say my wife has better kidneys than I do? That girl has had not 1 but 2 kidney infections.
X: (dailtone)

Now to the serious content that you all crave. This post on the Freakanomics blog discusses how the current kidney shortage (available for transplants) gives new life to the discussion of opening up the American market to kidney sales to raise the supply levels. It also even suggests that it might not burden the poor which is a popular belief but actually help the poor.