On the List: Fixing America's Failing Organ Transplant System

by Steve Farber, Harlan Abrahams

Rare book

Genres: Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published August 18, 2009

Reviews

[Jim Gleason · Rating 5 out of 5]

The true life story of living kidney donations with detailed description of how the process works and arguments for change in that process.

see this and more than a hundred other organ donation/transplant related books - many with my personal reviews - at http://www.trioweb.org/resources/book...

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's a nice thought to be an organ donor and save a life after you die but I don't think nowadays the system is good

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the list: fixing America's failing organ transplant system is part medical memoir and part outline of the massive shortage in organs available for transplantation. It's hard to keep in mind that this is written by two authors since most of the book is in the voice of the first author, Steve Farber, who frames the book in terms of the personal experiences of the peasant and power broker, two people who happened to undergo surgery on the same day.

When Farber, a wealthy lawyer and political fundraiser (the "power broker") developed kidney failure, his options included dying on the waiting list, accepting a kidney from his son, buying a kidney transplant in Turkey, or dialysis. Meanwhile, on the same day, Guatemalan refugee and landscaper Ernesto Delaroca (the "peasant") donated a kidney to his younger sister Sandra who was decompensating despite years of dialysis. Throughout Farber's decision-making process, he tells the story of how globalism, law, and economics have lead to black markets for organs abroad, and makes an argument for compensated donation and stem cell research to help the many people waiting for organs.

Steve's personal story involves a lot of melodrama, as his wife wants him to buy a kidney in Turkey to spare his son the risks of donation. However, we know from the start how he gets his kidney, and there's also a lot of unnecessary name-dropping along the way. His arguments for compensated donation aren't particularly well-reasoned, only that the system needs deep reform and the alternatives,free markets and presumed consent, are not palatable. Although a good consciousness-raising piece, this book does not do this complex moral, economic, and political issue justice.

[Sigrid Fry-Revere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again a book in my field and non-fiction. I just can't help it. I like non-fiction. This was an extremely well written account of the issues (both sides) involved in the organ shortage debate. It also helps me like the book that his solution is based on a paper I commissioned Dr. Matas to write and that I helped edit. My ideas have evolved since then, but Mr. Farber's analysis of the issues is spot on.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book about the inefficiencies of our current transplant system and the turmoil that being on the list exerts on one's family. Steve Farber seems a bit conceited about his importance throughout the book but I am inclined to believe he speaks so highly of himself to emphasize the differences in health care options between the haves and have-nots.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, I read this because the power broker protagonist also founded the law firm where I work. The book is funny and profound. The topic is timely because health care is a hot button issue at the moment, when really, it should be at the forefront always. Good read.