Organs and blood should not be sold and no Christian can seriously propose such a thing. In the first place, it violates Scripture which says, “You are not your own. You have been bought at a price! So, glorify God in your body.”. (1 Cor 6:19‐20). Hence, we are not owners of our bodies, merely stewards. We should not sell what does not belong to us.
To be a steward means to use what belongs to another in a way that accords with the will of the true owner. Hence, we are permitted in charity to donate blood, and to donate certain organs while we live and other organs upon our death. These acts of charity conform to the will of the true owner of our body, God, who is love. Thus, Scripture encourages, “The gift that you have received, give as a gift.” (Matt 10:8) The second reason not to sell blood and organs is the harm that it does to the poor. If they can be sold, the number of those who simply donate them will decline. And the price of purchasing them will surely be high. This gives the poor less access to healing remedies. Hence, the buying and selling of organs and blood is an offense against Catholic teaching. It violates both the principle of stewardship, and also of charity. |
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