Am I a hypocrite?

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I recently talked to my brother about the matter of donating organs. I explained to him that when I die, they can salvage my corpse for whatever they find (not very much probably, for I intend to die spectacularly) and put it in the body of anybody who needs it. Really, I don't care. Even if they feel the need to conserve my brain so they can breed a race of mutant supergeniuses in the future, so be it. I won't know.
However, in the same discussion, I noticed that I am very reluctant about the thought of somebody else's organs in my body. Somehow, I just feel very uncomfortable with that thought of living with the parts of a dead person, and somehow, it makes me think of a human being as a spare parts storage. As I said, I am all for donating organs, and I intend to do so myself, but I just can't imagine being on the receiving end. Am I some weird twisted sort of hypocrite?
 
No, you're not a hypocrite.  Compare it to charity.  A lot of people may give money to charity, but there are also many people who are uncomfortable with accepting charity or other kinds of financial help.  It's everyone's choce whether to take the organs or not; it's not like you're forcing the organs on someone.
 
I'd rather have some dead dude's parts and be alive than otherwise.  No point in both of us being dead.  I suppose it would be weird, but imagine how thankful you would be.  My experience with organ donation (admittedly limited) is that the families are usually glad their loved one's death had a purpose...
 
Perun said:
I recently talked to my brother about the matter of donating organs. I explained to him that when I die, they can salvage my corpse for whatever they find (not very much probably, for I intend to die spectacularly) and put it in the body of anybody who needs it. Really, I don't care. Even if they feel the need to conserve my brain so they can breed a race of mutant supergeniuses in the future, so be it. I won't know.
However, in the same discussion, I noticed that I am very reluctant about the thought of somebody else's organs in my body. Somehow, I just feel very uncomfortable with that thought of living with the parts of a dead person, and somehow, it makes me think of a human being as a spare parts storage. As I said, I am all for donating organs, and I intend to do so myself, but I just can't imagine being on the receiving end. Am I some weird twisted sort of hypocrite?
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Can I have your pancreas? :innocent:

Seriously, there's nothing wrong with your mentality.  As Invader said, organ donation is just another form of charity, and if you give to charity, it doesn't mean you like the thought of accepting handouts yourself.  I suppose the other thing is that, when donating organs, you'll be dead and gone.  If you accept someone else's, you have a part of them inside you until you die.

Incidentally, I was talking about the Kidney gameshow today, and I suddenly remembered some strange statistics about the human body, like you need not one kidney to survive, but two thirds of one!  And that you can lose a fraction of your lung and not be affected adversely.
 
Perun said:
I recently talked to my brother about the matter of donating organs. I explained to him that when I die, they can salvage my corpse for whatever they find (not very much probably, for I intend to die spectacularly) and put it in the body of anybody who needs it. Really, I don't care. Even if they feel the need to conserve my brain so they can breed a race of mutant supergeniuses in the future, so be it. I won't know.
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:yey: Great. I love your style.

Perun said:
However, in the same discussion, I noticed that I am very reluctant about the thought of somebody else's organs in my body. Somehow, I just feel very uncomfortable with that thought of living with the parts of a dead person, and somehow, it makes me think of a human being as a spare parts storage. As I said, I am all for donating organs, and I intend to do so myself, but I just can't imagine being on the receiving end. Am I some weird twisted sort of hypocrite?
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Yes you are. BUT imagine you get (for one reason or another) one organ for a dead folk. Then you die (for a third, unrelated reason). The folk's organ (the one that was temporarily yours) is being taken off your poor body and given to another, third, bloke.
You'd create second (third)-hand network. Did you think about that possibility?  :D
 
I would have no problem with getting someone else's organs if I really needed it. I'd be worried about the possibility of rejection, but not the organ itself. And I think I know why I feel this way: I own a house.

Anyone else who owns a house knows that you have to replace stuff sometimes. And I mean big things. For example, sometime before next winter rolls around, I need a new heating system. Not just a heater, mind you - duct work and all. Sure it'll be a pain putting it in, but the house will be better afterwards.

Since getting my house five years ago, I find myself regarding my body in a similar way. Sometimes you simply have to upgrade, but the end result is always worth it. For example, I have diabetes. About a year ago, it finally got to a point where I had to start giving myself insulin shots twice a day. At that time, I hated needles. So I wasn't looking forward to it, but I thought: "Well, sometimes you have to supply the right chemicals. I have to water my lawn a couple times a week, I have to clean the kitchen floor periodically - this is no different. It's still maintenance. The only variation is that it's me instead of my house."

Maybe another difference between me and Perun is age. Perun is still young. I'm old enough to notice my body breaking down year by year. When you start to see that, replacing old parts doesn't seem so bad. As a matter of fact, if any non-smokers out there have some lungs I could borrow, I'd gladly take them. And smoke them to hell just like my originals!
 
May I suggest that it would be hypocritical had it been the other way round - i.e. you don't want to give, but are willing to receive. Selfish, I know, but hypocritical just the same.

But this bit made me laugh:
Perun said:
Really, I don't care. Even if they feel the need to conserve my brain so they can breed a race of mutant supergeniuses in the future, so be it.
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However, I'm not so in agreement with SMX. Yes, I'm getting older - but at this present moment in time I feel fitter and better all round than I did 10/15 years ago - and mainly, this is down to a lifestyle change and diet. And to use the house as an analogy - keep it in good order and it will last.
 
Albie said:
May I suggest that it would be hypocritical had it been the other way round - i.e. you don't want to give, but are willing to receive. Selfish, I know, but hypocritical just the same.
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I agree with Albie.  I think it just comes down to comfort on your part.  Personally, I'd accept organs if my life depended on it.  I'd give my spare parts after death.  I won't need them where I'm going.  I just hope the doctor that pronounces me dead knows what the hell s/he is talking about.  I'd hate to wake up to a noise of a saw.  :D
 
I think you would change your mind if you had the choice between dying or getting a new organ.
 
Let me answer that without even reading your post: Yes.

Now let me read it (reads)

Ok having read it I can honestly say: Yes. Nah just kidding! You are not a hypocrite, if you want to donate go ahead, but it doesn't mean you have to accept a donation, but in most cases if you want to live, you might want to say yes.
 
Yes.

:innocent:

No, just kidding, I think its natural to feel a bit squirmish about the whole idea of having some other dead dude's body parts in you. But I get the feeling that you wouldn't really care too much if it was a choice between a zombie pancreas and death.
 
Natalie said:
Yes.

:innocent:

No, just kidding, I think its natural to feel a bit squirmish about the whole idea of having some other dead dude's body parts in you.
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Depends on the part you're talking about.



Well, I suppose someone had to make this kind of answer... :D
 
Ok now, boys, calm down, no need to wrangle for the first prize in the 'most perverted mind' competition. :P
 
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Ok,  so I'm not the only one who thought yes the first moment I read that title  :D.  Surprising my perverted mind didn't come up with that hilarious statement some well respected gentlemen used.  See Nat?  I'm not all that sick :P.  As for your problem Per,  I don't have much to say.  I agree with all that has been said,  but I particularly liked Albie's statement as to what would really have been a hypocritical stance.
 
Excellent Sneaky, you seem to be improving. :P

Sorry LC, I shall now make a comment relevant to this oh so serious thread. Which is that the word hypocrite has a negative connotation which would be in accordance with Albie's version of your (Perun) statement. However, yours makes you sound more self-sacrificing than hypocritical because you are willing to help someone, but are less willing to take help for yourself. In other words, no you are not a hypocrite (in this case). :P
 
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