Topic: Health
Title: Kid who sold kidney for iPad helps police arrest five in organ trading scam
Author: Mike Wehner
Publication Name: Yahoo News
Date of Publication: April 10, 2012
In June of last year, a 17-year-old Chinese boy had sold his kidney for $3500 USD so he could chip in for a new ipad 2. His kidney was apparently sold for around $35,000 USD. The young man known as "Wang" was questioned by his mother who knew that he could not have afforded an ipad 2. Today, Wang is in a hospital suffering from renal deficiency due to the shady kidney removal operation. However, his involvement in the underground organ black market has allowed the police to identify the 5 perpetrators involved in the illegal operation. Two of the perpetrators are surgeons at a local hospital and are now facing charges. The third man identified was in charge of organizing the operation. He allegedly took most of the profit to pay off his gambling debt. Information about the remaining two criminals remain unreleased. A majority of public opinion in first world countries about this incident describe it as appalling. Some commentors blame this incident on the over-value of material objects. While others proceed to scrutinize parental guidance and education in developing countries. However, few of these people can truly empathize with the boy named Wang. Despite the complete idiocy Wang may have demonstrated. The boy most likely suffered from psychological irrationality due to his poor background. Having seen the many modern conveniences and gadgets brought to China's developed areas, the boy most likely developed an extremely strong coveting to experience some of these modern "wonders". The boy weighed his choices and consequences on an unimaginable scale, which we may consider to be illogical and unreasonable.
This article shocked me greatly.The fact that this boy would donate his kidney, something that should last for the rest of his life, for an ipad, which probably won't even work in a couple years, is appalling. I do wonder what made him think an Ipad was worth a part of his body. Has chinese culture really become this materialistic, or is he just extremely immature? Perhaps it is simply the stigma tof having an Ipad that drove him to do something lie this. Another thing that i find strange is why he didnt use the money to help his family instead. It says that they are a poor family, and probably need essentials like food and clothing more then they need an Ipad. Although he just just a boy, this action was extremely immature and poorly thought through.
ReplyDeleteI feel as if the kid named "Wang" who sold his kidney for the iPad 2 should not be seen as anything more then a 17 year old with poor judgment. I do not think it is necessary to diagnose him with a psychological disorder that would make him make such irrational decision. It is true that the doctors who tricked Wang into giving up his kidney in a sketchy surgery but Wang in theory should have been able to weigh the risks. I was also surprised that his mother was able to catch on to the fact that something horrible must have happened in order for Wang to have afforded the iPad 2. I find it concerning that the thirst for technology has gotten so strong internationally that people are willing to make such irrational choices. Wang sold his kidney for $3,500 and the doctor resold it for $35,000. After reading this article, I wonder how many other cases exist in the world that are similar to Wang's. I also wonder what will happen to the five people held responsible for Wang's transplant if Wang dies from renal deficiency he now has as a result. Finally, I wonder if Apple will be doing anything in response to this tragic event.
ReplyDeleteI believe the 17 year old Wang, made an EXTREMELY bad decision, but I don't blame him because of his background. Though selling an kidney seemed the most profitable, it had cause him renal deficiency which is horrible. I didn't think the intense need for an ipad lead to such a fatal problem. Technology now a days is leading people to do irrational things. What I want to know is will Apple be involved? This shows once again that the economy has made people too desperate for money.
ReplyDeleteI am still shocked by this though it is not the first time i have seen article like this. It is extremely sad and hopeless to see what had the over-grown society did to children in developing countries. Nowadays many popular products are becoming not devices that can help to improve our life styles, but chains and concepts of showing off useless "statuses" of the owner. The companies and the governments should respond to the situation with actions.
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