| yup.. scarry stuff. I read one of Robin Cook's books about this but i don't think it was Coma, perhaps there is another one he deals in it as well. Lots of the serialised tv shows seem to pick up on the theme of chinese organ systems every once in a while (not quite sure why it is chinese) i saw one where (this if fiction remember) where a group of people went to a meeting, all got paid $x and then a a card was drawn to see who would have their y organ removed, eyes, kidneys etc...
Yes it is a problem and will be for next 50 years or so but i don't think after that. Organ generation to order is not something i see in any way unlikely. The igor in your basement (ever read chromoson 6 by robin cook.. that is a nice one, using chimps as your surrogate donar etc.. read it) won't be necessary, eyes etc grown in vats.
Ethically i don't see a problem. What is the difference between growing an eye and a skin culture? The "cost" is more likely to be a problem, should only rich people be able to replace their hearts when they get old? i doubt it is something that will be particularly cheap to do when it comes? in the US this dosen't appear to be a large concern with your massive comercalisation of health system but some of the remaining more socialist (well not socialist but more that way) systems would certainly have more problems with refusing to do it if it was possible because it is too expensive.
We shall see what will happen but this is one of certainly the most major bio-ethical problems coming up alongsite ethuanasia, genetic engineering (germline in particular), age extension drugs (when not if) etc. |