# Would you donate half a liver to a rich stranger's child for a huge payoff? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 6, 2012, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307 "2012-06-06T19:55:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/21 "2012-06-06T20:53:18Z")
Probably not. But I suppose everyone can be bought. I have had too many surgeries go bad and even the thought of doing it makes me frightened. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/22 "2012-06-06T20:55:03Z")
Oh - and one more thing: I would insist, as part of the contract, that my death during surgery or recovery would lead to a Much Larger payout to my family. $50 million, say. Rather than simply insisting upon the best available care, I’d prefer to give **Geoff** a powerful incentive to be very, very concerned for my safe recovery. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/23 "2012-06-06T21:02:07Z")
I’d have to investigate the risks and consequences of a liver donation before I’d make a decision. I’d like to help but I’m not going to put my own life or health in danger to help a stranger. But if it’s a reasonably safe procedure, I guess I’d do it. My primary motivation would be to help a sick child not to do it for the reward. But that said, as long as Geoff is “fabulously wealthy” I wouldn’t refuse a reward. If he offers me a million dollars, I’ll take it. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/24 "2012-06-06T21:28:00Z")
Since I’m getting pretty old, and have health issues, but not with my liver so far, I might go for a really big payout. One million won’t do it for me though. Ten million? I’d be tempted. Frankly, I’m tempted to do it just because the donee is young and has a life ahead of her. I’d be loathe to accept an organ from someone else at my age. I’m not all that old really, but my best days are behind me, and I could never justify shortening someone else’s life, or denying a younger person an opportunity for a better one. Now if the father or family is not donating because of a match issue, I’d be curious if they’re participating in an organ trade program. I wouldn’t want the girl to suffer because she’s got an arrogantly rich family, but I wouldn’t like participating in arrangement that simply removes risk from someone who is very wealthy. As another factor, there are many people out there who need the money more than I do. If this is worth doing at all, it should be an opportunity for someone else. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/25 "2012-06-06T21:47:54Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > How many times do I have to apologize for poisoning you? I was trying to give you x-ray vision! Lucky for **silenus** , single malt was the only antidote for that particular substance. ETA: I would do it for a Klondike Bar. And a million at minimum. ---
**Author:** ![Mnemnosyne](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mnemnosyne/32/3347_2.png) [@Mnemnosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mnemnosyne)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/26 "2012-06-06T22:01:20Z")
Definitely depends on my bargaining position (and the question of just how safe this procedure is, and what sort of life I’ll have afterward). Assuming I can lead a normal life and chances of complications are minimal, and assuming my bargaining position is strong enough to get whatever amount I want, I’d definitely go for enough to retire on. Sufficient funds to buy a comfortable 3-4 bedroom house in a decent neighborhood, and be able to exist comfortably with little to no risk investments for the next 40-50ish years. I would flat out refuse if the procedure carries strong risks of complications or a severe decrease in my quality of life, though. I know almost nothing about liver transplants and very little about medicine in general, so I can’t answer that right now without doing research I don’t feel like doing. Other than riskiness, I don’t see any reason I would refuse if I can be paid enough to retire on. If my bargaining position is too weak to get that much money, then it’s a lot harder to decide how much would be my minimum. I probably wouldn’t do it for very much under a million, and even for a million I’m pretty hesitant. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/27 "2012-06-06T22:14:09Z")
No amount would make me do it. Why? Because fuck Geoff, that’s why. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/28 "2012-06-06T22:30:25Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > Oh - and one more thing: I would insist, as part of the contract, that my death during surgery or recovery would lead to a Much Larger payout to my family. $50 million, say. Rather than simply insisting upon the best available care, I’d prefer to give **Geoff** a powerful incentive to be very, very concerned for my safe recovery. You’d better up that to **at least** $100 million, probably more. For somebody who’s “fabulously rich,” $50 million is more or less insignificant. ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/29 "2012-06-06T22:32:58Z")
Yea, sure I would do it. I am not stating my price though. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/30 "2012-06-06T22:33:36Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > No amount would make me do it. Why? Because fuck Geoff, that’s why. Geoff doesn’t need the liver transplant. Geoff’s _child_ needs the kidney transplant. And the hypo doesn’t state anything about Geoff’s character; he may be as kindly as :: tries to think of famously kindly rich guy :: Um … :: thinks some more :: Santa Claus! ---
**Author:** ![Kalea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b487fb/32.png) [@Kalea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalea)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/31 "2012-06-06T22:56:25Z")
10% of Geoff’s net worth when he asks me, plus all medical expenses for my lifetime, liver related or not. 10% won’t have a big impact on him, but it’ll mean a lot to me. I can’t think of a reason I wouldn’t do it for this. Any reason would have to do with Geoff, and not with his kid, and that’s not fair to his kid. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/32 "2012-06-06T23:05:18Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Geoff doesn’t need the liver transplant. Geoff’s _child_ needs the kidney transplant. And the hypo doesn’t state anything about Geoff’s character; he may be as kindly as > > :: tries to think of famously kindly rich guy :: > > Um … > > :: thinks some more :: > > Santa Claus! 'Bout time for Geoff to learn that being fabulously wealthy doesn’t always mean you get everything you want. If he wants my liver for his daughter, he’ll have to kill me for it. Then he’ll be one of those folks willing to kill an innocent to save a loved one, won’t he? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/33 "2012-06-06T23:19:11Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > 'Bout time for Geoff to learn that being fabulously wealthy doesn’t always mean you get everything you want. If he wants my liver for his daughter, he’ll have to kill me for it. Then he’ll be one of those folks willing to kill an innocent to save a loved one, won’t he? He only wants part of it. That’s how living donor liver transplants work. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/34 "2012-06-06T23:46:05Z")
I’d be willing to do it. I’d ask him to make me an offer. If the offer was less than 100k, I’d say no thanks, find another donor. Of course it would be nice to be set for life, but I don’t think half a liver is worth more than a couple million bucks. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/35 "2012-06-06T23:48:46Z")
Does it have to be _my_ liver that I’m currently using, I do I just have to have one available for sale? ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/36 "2012-06-07T01:59:55Z")
I would gladly donate half a liver if I were a match, as long as the medical costs were covered. My mother is seriously mad at me about this and tries to change my mind occasionally. If my marrow, plasma, platelets, blood, or **extra** organs can keep someone from dying, I’ll give it. The wealth of the recipient or their family would never be a factor in the decision. Alas, I’ve been on the marrow registry for almost 15 years with nary a peep from them. ☹ Of course, if after I give part of my body, an anonymous donor decides to foot the bill for my education until I get my BS, I certainly wouldn’t hunt down the wealthy father and demand he admit it and take it back. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/37 "2012-06-07T02:07:39Z")
Well, YEAH, I’ve been on the marrow registry for ten years too… but if somebody were offering me a bajillion dollars that’s, you know, different. Plus, a half a liver or a kidney is very different from marrow. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/38 "2012-06-07T02:33:57Z")
Half of my liver? Sure, I wasn’t gonna finish it anyways. Wait, half of _my_ liver? Fuck that noise. Well, maybe for 500,000. That’s 500,000 Geoff gets to keep. I get the rest of his fortune or the kid croaks. ---
**Author:** ![ExcitedIdiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ea5d25/32.png) [@ExcitedIdiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExcitedIdiot)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/39 "2012-06-07T12:49:31Z")
According to [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liver_transplantation#Living_donor_transplantation), Giving half of your liver carries a .5 to 1 percent risk of death. It sounds risky to me, but if I were a millionaire, my higher life expectancy might compensate for that. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307/40 "2012-06-07T16:48:46Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > Does it have to be _my_ liver that I’m currently using, I do I just have to have one available for sale? I discussed a [scheme](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=588810) like this where I proposed selling other people’s souls to the devil. The consensus seemed to feel there were moral flaws with this plan. Go figure. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-donate-half-a-liver-to-a-rich-strangers-child-for-a-huge-payoff/624307.md?page=3)