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Just out of interest...
... and I'm not expecting a huge response to this, but I was just wondering if anyone (if there is anyone) who reads this has considered/is an organ donor? Or a blood donor? Just for my own curiosity.
Yes to the first question, no to the second. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've donated blood once before. I have a card and everything but that was over a year ago now. I did not particular like the experience. I start laughing when people take blood from me. They gave me cookies and coffee though. So that was good.
ReplyDeleteThis is two more comments than I was expecting. Thank you :). Incidentally, I don't give blood either: not scared of needles, but have a tendency to swoon after.
ReplyDeleteI am both an organ donor (everything except my corneas) and an infrequent blood donor (twice this year.)
ReplyDeleteI have noticed that a lot of people don't want to donate their corneas (and if you return I recommend you don't scroll down to where I discuss the ethics of organ donation) but I've never really understood it. Perhaps I am coloured by my own 'wanting-to-be-cremated' (when I'm dead) bias. Though that raises a question I should bleat about in the new year: bias obviously alters something, but does it negate its legitimacy? Is bias inherently productive of incorrect answers? What isn't biased?
ReplyDeleteHmm. Sorry for exploiting your comment for my own boring ends. Thanks for stopping by, regardless :).
I'm assuming that people are afraid that their bodies will become disfigured if they donate their corneas. It isn't true, but I can't think of anything else.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't think it matters all that much, really. Lab-grown organs are no longer science fiction, and I'd imagine that will replace donations in the future. Not entirely sure what to think of that, but the science is remarkable.
Seems reasonable to think as much; I just find it an odd thought that people might think that losing everything else but retaining their corneas keeps them 'in tact' or something. I dunno.
ReplyDeleteGive me stem cells and science please. I am by no means at all science-y and so it's all gibberish to me, but it is remarkable.
Well, externally at least. But yeah, it's a little silly. There is a list on the letter that I received from the organ donation organisation, informing people that they can pick and choose which organs they want to donate. Didn't notice it before, but find it amusing now.
ReplyDeleteStem cells are limited, even if the practice wasn't controversial. Organ printing seems to be the more logical direction, just needs a few more scientists to drop acid for it to become completely functional/accessible. :-)
That's cute in a morbid sense. I've always wanted to be cremated anyway, so the whole 'keep me whole!' shtick has never really applied to me. I'm slightly peeved that I'm just on a database, though; and I didn't receive a card! How can I shove my altruism down people's throats now?
ReplyDeleteI'll be honest, the whole area is a total unknown to me. I can't tell you the difference between carbon and hydrogen. Well. You get me point.
Organ printing?
I haven't quite decided what I want to do with my body. Meh.
ReplyDeleteOrgan printing...erm, like an ink-jet printer. But with organs. There are more legitimate explanations out there, of course (Organovo Inc, Gabor Forgacs.) It looks promising.
I recommend selling yourself whilst you're alive, and then donating when you've died. Obviously, the latter will probably be a product of the former - but try to avoid contracting any diseases. I think I missed my calling as 'life advisor'.
ReplyDeleteYou wrote the book on organ printing, didn't you. You can admit it. Your "like an ink-jet printer. But with organs" made me laugh. On an almost smoke-free day, that's a rarity. Congratulations. Knowledgeable and humorous. And smoke-free tumourless.
I should drink less. Anyway. Yay for organ printing.
Bahaha, didn't quite understand your response until I reread what I wrote...
ReplyDeleteAs for you calling: apparently so.
Yah, I was going to explain the mechanics of it...but I think my explanation has achieved the same effect. And it's true, that's essentially what it is. :-)
Good luck trying to stop smoking, sincerely.
How inconvenient is this: being on the second page? How frustrating. Yes, no, you made me titter. Yes, I feel I've missed a golden opportunity there. Poor kids.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm down from 20 a day, to 10. I'm cutting out one a week from here on in. I slipped up yesterday and had 11, but the previous two days I've only had 9 so I feel OK about it. It sucks, but it's definitely time.
Drop by again sometime :).