By Ng Wan Ching

TO pay or not to pay organ donors.

That has been the ethical dilemma facing those involved in the raging debate on whether organ trading should be legalised.

Last week, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said the law will be changed to allow financial compensation for organ donors.

First, the Ministry of Health (MOH) wants some feedback from healthcare professionals and the public, it said today.

But how do the people on the street feel about the issue?

In a poll of 100 people conducted by The New Paper, 70 per cent said yes to monetary compensation for organ donors.

Student Lorraine Koh, 27, said: 'Compensation will help to promote organ donations. It will also help to stem black-market trading.

'But monetary benefits shouldn't be the primary reason to donate an organ.'

But those who were against financial compensation feared it may turn organ donation into a trade.

Executive Priscilla Soh, 24, 'Paying defeats the notion of donation - instead of donating, it becomes selling of organs.'

Of the 70 people who were in favour of compensation, most feel that the recipient should pay all or part of the compensation.

Thirty-seven per cent said only the recipient should pay, while 43 per cent feel that the recipient and the Government should split the payment.

Some worry that making the recipient pay the full sum might mean that only the well-to-do can afford to get a kidney.

Housewife Jane Lim, 58, said: 'The recipient should pay if they can afford it. If not, the Government should subsidise.'

But 20 per cent think the Government should be responsible for compensating the donors.

Mr Sanjeev Thavarajaloo, 22, an administrative executive, said: 'If the recipient has to pay, then the poor won't benefit.'

Eight people suggested that a charity organisation like the National Kidney Foundation raise the money needed to compensate donors.

Ms Susan Lee, 57, a businesswoman, said: 'The charity can then disburse the money as it sees fit to donors. The Government should not get involved directly in the payment part of the compensation.

'Perhaps what the Government can do is to help with certain subsidies for the donors when they go for health follow-ups after donating their organs.'

Donor's sacrifice

But what is the price we should put on an organ donation? How do you calculate a donor's sacrifice in dollars and cents?

Out of the 70 people who approve of financial compensation, 43 per cent said $50,000 is a reasonable sum.

Eleven per cent said $25,000 was enough, while another 26 per cent feel that donors should be paid more than $75,000.

Madam Wahidah Abdul Rahman, 42, a restaurant owner, said: 'It's hard to say what the right amount should be, but $50,000 is about right. Medication costs a lot in Singapore nowadays.'

Mrs Faith Toh, 33, a producer, thinks donors should be paid more.

'What if he suffers from complications? What if he himself gets kidney failure?'

Some people could not put a price on an organ donation. Twenty per cent of the people who said yes to monetary compensation said the amount would have to be decided on a case-by-case basis.

IT manager Moses Lim, 35, said: 'The compensation can be a token of appreciation for the pain the donor goes through.'

The right amount would depend on the type of organ donated, the relationship of the donor and the recipient, and the donor's age and financial status, he added.

Additional reporting by Eoin Ee, Lediati Tan, Elaine Yeo, Amanda Yong

This story was first published in The New Paper on Nov 14, 2008.