Kidneys from deceased donors last an average of 10 to 15 years, those from a living person 20 to 25. The UK is not unusual in having far more people who need kidneys than there are kidneys available. Accordingly, a ban on the sale of kidneys might be thought necessary to protect the financially vulnerable. What should be given more weight: personal queasiness at the idea of kidneys being for sale, or the lives of people who desperately need kidney transplants? If people can decide through democratic means that a market in kidneys is desirable, then so be it.

Source: The Guardian January 26, 2026 10:30 UTC