Here’s an interesting tidbit: just 5-10% of of organs sold worldwide are black market, the rest are donated freely or sold legally. The Wall Street Journal published a fascinating article, Tackling the Organ Shortage, about ways to solve the organ donor problem. Here’s how other countries handle things: in Iran and Singapore, donors are paid for organs. In Israel, you get yourself on the donor list, or you move to the bottom of the list when you need one — tough love. Europe: presumed consent unless you opt out. Interestingly enough, Iran is the only country to have eliminated organ shortage completely, having implemented a system that pays $1,200 per organ. The WSJ estimates that paying as much as $15,000 per organ in the US would be cheaper than ponying up for kidney dialysis later on. It’s a great article, and fascinating read.