[Avodah] selling kidneys

[Eli Turkel]

There is an extensive article in Tradition 40#2 (2007) by Ronnie
Warburg on selling kidneys.
While several poskim ncluding Tzitz Eliezer forbid seeling kidneys
most poskim allow it
on the grounds of pikach nefesh.
However, harming oneself is allowed only to save a life.
Thus several poskim point out that the Shylock contract obligating one
to give a pound
of flesh if payment is not made is a nonvaild contract.
>From the public policy side he quotes
of the sellers on India's black market trade 86% reported that their health had
deteriorated sbstantially from its pre-sale condition.
.... four out of five seller would not recommend that others follow
their lead in
selling organs

-- 
Eli Turkel