Topic of the Week: Public Commentary Continued

I have come across a few articles that are interesting and timely that I thought I would share. Either I am more aware or there is an influx of stories about organ donation this week. I suppose it could be a combination of both. I can really only process so much information these days, but I am also a bit compulsive, so I read both articles and figured it would make sense to share them here.

A close family member happened to listen to part of an NPR segment that interviewed the author of the controversial WSJ editorial that I began to discuss in my last post. Here is that NPR article and audiocast: this is the audio link and this is the transcript link. I happened to listen to this while at the gym yesterday and was pleased to hear that Dr. Richard M. Freeman made some very convincing, strong arguments to refute what Dick Teresi was claiming in his new book and the WSJ editorial I discussed. At one point, Dr. Freeman even claims that Teresi is "flat-out wrong."

http://dms.dartmouth.edu/news/2009/10/28_freeman.shtml

Public Commentary

My goal is not to preach to anyone or tell my family's stories to the general public. Yes, I have a blog. Yes, I often share my opinions--and strongly voice them. However, I am mainly doing this blog as an outlet for myself but also to keep some closer friends and family updated. I try to avoid broadcasting this information and also try to keep this somewhat anonymous. This is an extremely personal topic for my family, however there are many aspects of this situation that are impacted by public policies and opinions. Some I have already described, such as the national transplant system method of allocating organs--specifically livers using the MELD system. Others I have not brought-up yet, including the baffling low number of organ donors in this country.

I tend to get very frustrated with most media outlets easily about a range of topics: how the pharmaceutical industry is portrayed and how politics are covered as two examples. I actually get frustrated enough that I often avoid the news. However, in order to keep up with whats going on in my industry and the rest of the world, I try to listen to NPR and review articles in specialized forums, including the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Health section. I came across one article the other day in the WSJ that I felt I had to bring-up in this forum since it was another case of a public opinion that the media is only exacerbating an ongoing problem in this country. In this case, this public opinion impacts Dad's situation.

The WSJ published an opinion by Dick Teresi titled What You Lose When You Sign That Donor Card. In case you don't have time or interest (or have access) to the article, the author talks about all of the rights that