# Compatible medical donor and moral obligation **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 7, 2015, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compatible-medical-donor-and-moral-obligation/733771 "2015-10-07T00:54:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compatible-medical-donor-and-moral-obligation/733771/21 "2015-10-08T16:03:57Z")
I’ll join the chorus. There is no obligation to give any part of your body to another. That being said a blood draw once a year is about as minor as it gets so I’d probably go along. If it were more often or something more then blood I’d have to think about how it would impact my quality of life and it wouldn’t take much degradation before I let the random stranger die. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compatible-medical-donor-and-moral-obligation/733771/22 "2015-10-15T00:51:25Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > For hypothetical’s sake, let’s say it’s a fictional disease that requires blood transfusions once a year, and your blood is the only blood in the world that will suffice for this purpose. Let’s talk more about the parameters of this hypothetical: how do they \*\*know \*\*that my blood is the only match in the world? Did I volunteer to have my blood profiled? Or are we talking about a world where everyone’s blood and DNA is taken by force at birth? I’m asking because my DNA is on file at the bone marrow registry, and I do in fact feel a moral obligation to donate if I can. However, I signed up for this, which is a commitment I renew in writing every year and will continue to do so until I age out, so that’s why I feel obligated. I gave my word. Were they have to have gotten my DNA another way, without my active and voluntary participation… nope, wouldn’t feel any obligation then. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compatible-medical-donor-and-moral-obligation/733771/23 "2015-10-15T03:35:31Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > I’m asking because my DNA is on file at the bone marrow registry, and I do in fact feel a moral obligation to donate if I can. However, I signed up for this, which is a commitment I renew in writing every year and will continue to do so until I age out, so that’s why I feel obligated. I gave my word. Ah, but why did you sign up? In doing so, were you perhaps responding to a perceived moral claim on you? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compatible-medical-donor-and-moral-obligation/733771/24 "2015-10-15T07:22:19Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Now, ethically and morally speaking, how much does the fact that you are the only existing compatible donor in the world obligate you to donate to a person in such need? I’d say you’re a dick, morally and ethically, if you don’t. Given the terms of the OP, _I’d_ feel obligated. I’m not obligated to put my life at great risk or suffer great discomfort even, but this is neither. > [@](#): > > Are you morally and ethically justified in refusing? Given that there’s no risk, no, you’re not morally justified (by _my_ moral code. JWs might disagree, but the question is about _my_ code, not someone else’s) However The only moral penalty for refusal to complete the obligation should be shame, and any attempt to force compliance renders the obligation void. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compatible-medical-donor-and-moral-obligation/733771/25 "2015-10-15T07:41:24Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > . . . However > > The only moral penalty for refusal to complete the obligation should be shame, and **any attempt to force compliance renders the obligation void**. Wait, what? This isn’t generally true, is it? I am morally obliged not to kill you. The fact that society attempts to force my compliance by making murder a crime doesn’t render my moral obligation not to kill you void. Killing you would now be both immoral _and_ illegal. Same goes for, say, the moral obligation not to refuse to deal with you on account of your race and the civil rights legislation, or the moral obligation to tell the truth and perjury laws. So why do you think _this_ moral obligation evaporates if there is any attempt to make it compulsory? ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compatible-medical-donor-and-moral-obligation/733771/26 "2015-10-15T14:26:20Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Now, ethically and morally speaking, how much does the fact that you are the only existing compatible donor in the world obligate you to donate to a person in such need? Ethically I cannot address. Morally, it obligates me entirely. I cannot refuse and retain my sense of self-worth and self-identity. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compatible-medical-donor-and-moral-obligation/733771/27 "2015-10-15T17:22:56Z")
If I cause an accident that causes you to lose both your kidneys and I am a perfect match to donate a kidney to you, and I sign papers agreeing to do so and then change my mind, the law cannot force me to donate one kidney. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compatible-medical-donor-and-moral-obligation/733771/28 "2015-10-15T17:51:47Z")
I needs to spring from his heart to deliver the fetus to term, ummmm I mean for him to give blood to save someone else life. It is between him and his God how much he shoudl give of himself for another. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2015, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compatible-medical-donor-and-moral-obligation/733771/29 "2015-10-16T10:04:23Z")
> [@UDS](#): > > Wait, what? > > This isn’t generally true, is it? No, just in this case, or possibly other appeals to pure altruism (which not all moral imperatives are) > [@](#): > > So why do you think _this_ moral obligation evaporates if there is any attempt to make it compulsory? Because then it would no longer be altruism, it would be occurring under threat of violence, which negates the initial idea of this being no great discomfort or threat to my well-being in any way. Being dragged kicking and screaming into a clinic is not comfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2015, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compatible-medical-donor-and-moral-obligation/733771/30 "2015-10-16T12:04:02Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Suppose that someone in the world will die without a medical donation, and you are the only person, out of 7 billion people in the world, who is compatible. Would I feel an obligation to allow this patient access to my blood? Probably. Would I feel an obligation to give them my blood FOR FREE? Probably not. The guy that draws the blood is getting compensation. The doctors that determined that my blood was the only possibly cure was compensated. The medical team that infuses my blood will be compensated. None of them are doing this out of some sort of moral obligation to be a good person, yet without their work the patient would die. I mean, I’d like to think I wouldn’t be a ass in this situation and I wouldn’t charge an amount that would cause hardship but if my blood is truly the elixir of life, why should I give it away? I’m sure the money sitting in my retirement account could save the life of some random stranger in the world, but I’m not giving them that, either. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2015, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compatible-medical-donor-and-moral-obligation/733771/31 "2015-10-16T12:25:16Z")
> [@MissTake](#): > > Yes, I’m on dialysis. Yes, I have a high risk of cashing in my chips sooner rather than later. The average lifespan of someone on dialysis is five years, but that number is misleading - it includes the person diagnosed young and has been on for 20 years and great aunt Gertrude who, at 85, suffered failure and was on a week. Were I to choose to stop dialysis, I would be lucky to live two weeks. My friend wagon dialysis for 5 years. Just got a kidney a year ago. He changed hospitals and things seem to immediately be more optimistic. Good luck to you, **MissTake**. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2015, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compatible-medical-donor-and-moral-obligation/733771/32 "2015-10-16T12:31:52Z")
To answer the question, I’d feel a morel obligation to donate. That said, all kinds of futuristic movies are coming to mind where the vast, all-knowing government medical database can find all compatible donors in a matter of seconds. And the leaders of the government substitute their morals for an individual’s. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2015, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compatible-medical-donor-and-moral-obligation/733771/33 "2015-10-16T12:40:03Z")
Answering the OP directly: given that the reason I don’t currently donate blood is that I’m not allowed due to low BP, I personally would be perfectly happy to donate. Dad made gold donor. Now, if you were asking about an organ that doesn’t come back with some OJ and chorizo sandwiches I’d need to think about it harder. One of my classmates was on dyalisis since our ages were in single digits, he finally got a donation as an adult. During the time we were in HS, the 12th graders would often come ask him for the form to register as organ donors. For us it was a matter of “since I can, I do.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compatible-medical-donor-and-moral-obligation/733771.md?page=1)