In the US state of Massachusetts, two senators are proposing to shorten the sentences of prisoners who are willing to donate organs or bone marrow.
In this way, detainees could receive a minimum sentence reduction of two months and a maximum of one year reports local media. However, the proposal has been widely criticized.
The two Democrats argue that everyone in their state has the freedom to donate organs and bone marrow. They see no reason to deprive prisoners of that right. They are now only eligible for a transplant if the organ is intended for a close family member.
With the proposal, Judith García and Carlos González say they want to give prisoners back control over their own bodies and, at the same time, contribute to a solution for the shortage of organs and bone marrow.
González points out that many people waiting for a transplant have African or Latin American roots. They suffer more than average from heart and liver disease and diabetes. By expanding the pool of donors, González believes that those population groups could also receive care more quickly. In addition, prisoners in the US share the same African and Latin American roots above average.
Opponents say the proposal is unethical and inhumane. In addition, they argue that it puts detainees under pressure. As a result, they could make drastic choices that they later regret. According to political observers, there is, therefore, little chance that the proposal will become law.
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