No

Double-edged sword

Legalising may increase the number of lives saved but it will also lead to further social division. The poor will sell their organs more because of their need for money but will not be able to buy organs if they need. It will act like a double-edged sword. They could benefit if someone donated the required organ.

Ekaansh Agarwal,

Class X, Delhi Public School Ruby Park, Calcutta

Exploitation

Let us face the harsh reality — in India, poverty is a disease that can never be eradicated. So people will queue up to sell organs to fill their stomachs. We already have a black market. If legalised, there should be a protocol which will ensure that those below poverty line are not exploited, that they get help if they need organs.

Sheerin Bashar,

First year, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha

No price tag

If blood can be collected through voluntary donation, why not organs? We’ve to spread the awareness. There is the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation, where one can register and donate organs after death. Putting a price tag on the human body will invite exploitation by the unscrupulous, and people like me won’t be able to afford organs.

Sanchaita Majumder,

Second year, BA, Siliguri College

Benefit only for the wealthy

Since organ transplantation began, donation has saved many lives. But the supply has also failed to meet the demand. Legalising selling will not solve this problem. It will benefit the wealthy, while the poor will not be able to obtain the organs since it is most likely that a bidding system will start. The poor will be exploited, forced to sell their organs. It might bring them money but they will end up risking their own health.

Anshika Singhania,

Class XII, Mahadevi Birla World Academy, Calcutta

Yes

Altruism no answer

Those in need of human organs cannot rely on altruism alone; there must also be a legal system to create the necessary supply.

Riddhi Deb,

Class XII, Birla High School, Calcutta

Time factor

The sale of human organs should indeed be legalised. Many who need a transplant don’t get it on time. In order to tackle black marketing and organ trafficking, the government can issue permits to organ sellers and maintain their credentials to track miscreants.

Suryendu Pramanick,

Class XII, Bidhan Chandra Institution, Durgapur

Process faster

If the sale of organs is made legal, it will make organ transplant easier. The lack of access to organs takes away thousands of lives every year.

Anuswa Nayak,

Class X, Delhi Public School, Durgapur

Crime and punishment

Countless organ rackets thrive underground in developing countries like India. Hundreds of hapless Indians are duped to sell their organs for peanuts; at times they are even murdered by organ harvesters who feed black markets. Legalising sale of organs will stop such crime and exploitation.

Sankar Sen,

Class IX, Loyola High School, Calcutta