Whether donors or their families should be paid is just one of many legal, ethical and safety concerns prompted by the exploding growth of the body parts industry. Organizations such as LifeNet list prices for 300 or more pro.ducts. Routinely, doctors turn to these catalogs for tendons and ligaments to repair athletes' blown-out knees. They buy arteries to improve circulation and valves to repair hearts. Cadaver bone fragments are used in spinal fusion surgery on aging baby boomers' aching backs, or ground into powder to replenish bone eroded away by gum disease.
Skin is used to treat severe burns.
But plastic surgeons also use it to smooth out facial wrinkles, puff up lips and enlarge penises. To feed the growing demand, many states, including Virginia, have redoubled efforts to solicit potential donors. Despite record numbers of donors, the shortage of usable vital organs remains critical. Last year, more than 100 Virginians died waiting for organ transplants.