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For some sick reason
(lemmy.world)
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this post was submitted on 14 Sep 2024
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Selling blood plasma is a scam? I mean there's obviously a market for it, else blood banks wouldn't be paying you for your donation. But at least where I live, I get 25€ per donation and can, in theory, go twice a week if I feel like. While between jobs, I actually had to depend on that for a couple months to afford rent, as sad as that sounds. Didn't sound too horrible.
Genuinely curious since I'm not super knowledgeable on the topic. Had been donating plasma since 2018, I think, but apart from that..
I recently was talking with someone in south America about things in the US, most of which they hated, then when I got to "yeah, a lot of people sell plasma to help get through school" they were like "WTF! I hate your country! Here we do it as a donation! And you do it to help get through school!?" 😂
The sick part is, when you donate blood/plasma for free, the organization you gave to sells it at the same price as the people who pay you for it. I think the only exception is if you donate directly to a hospital or clinic.
I don't know if I'd call selling plasma a scam, but it doesn't really feel like a good thing either. I know people on a fixed income where this is one of the only ways they can make some extra cash, so I understand why people would do it.
Like, sure, you get money for your fluids that you'll replenish naturally and that has its appeal. But for a lot of people it's a slippery slope argument about what parts of your body you should be able to sell.
If you're economically depressed (the system is working as intended) then you might be tempted to start selling organs. Would you accept five figures for a kindey or cornea? Would you sell your heart or liver for six?
You might even be able to argue that it's a noble sacrifice to give your life to secure your family's comfort. But there's something to be said about being forced into that position in the first place.
My friend sold plasma to save up for a PS5 only, so he got juiced a bunch of times over a somewhat brief time. Now, a couple of years later, he still has permanent puncture scars on both arms. I think this can build up scar tissue that makes it harder for nurses to get to your veins in the future (but I could be wrong about that, idk).
It's also a slippery slope to selling other peoples organs.
Maybe this would be a good asklemmy
I might make a post unless you want to
I'll be glad to upvote your post : )
I've made a post. Check my post history :)
❤️
Now kith.
Wait is the question “is selling plasma a scam”? ??
No. That’s your answer. It is not a scam.
Elaborate please? I literally make the stuff, why shouldn't I sell it?
There really should be a community for "Weird america" or something.
I live in Europe, and I donate blood because it's the fucking right thing to do. Everyone knows someone whose life was saved by a random donor, and every time you donate blood you're saving someone's life.
Like there's literally no reason to not donate it if your body allows it
I'm American and I donate/sell plasma twice a week. $110 each week which is nice extra money for the time, plus I can help people. It's a win/win as far as I'm concerned.
Ah, maybe this is the scam.
Q1. What volume of blood is worth $110?
Q2. How much does the medical industry charge for the same type/quantity?
Don't know, because I said plasma, not blood.
Don't know, don't care.
You're obviously getting at what the companies make versus what they give me, and yes, they make far more than they give me. The margins are quite high. The machines are also very expensive from what I've been told.
Like I told the other person, stop being weird. If you don't want to do it or think it's not worth your time, don't do it.
I don't think it's weird to consider that the US medical industry is possibly exploiting people through predatory business practices.
OK. And maybe look into the choices of who gets your goods.
It's on top, not a substitute. It's literally free money and helps a person in need
Unnecessarily loaded comment. Plasma is used in creating drugs that help people. So you help people. How's it bad?
The setup preys on the poor, and wouldn't exist if we had living wages. Then people could donate because it is the right thing to do, not because they need to make rent.
The thing is, the monetary incentive is necessary because there are not enough people donating - plasma, blood, whatever. So if that's what's needed to get people to donate (or whatever else word you want to use), then that's fine in my books. Both sides get something.
I get the idea of wanting it to be on donation-basis only, but people don't donate for free as often as when they do *get money. Because society is inherently selfish and doesn't care for the needs of others.
Again, the service the companies provide is directly beneficial to society. Yes, big pharma is a thing and medicine should be free. But what's not how things work. So what's the problem?
You're a fucking weirdo, if you don't want to donate then don't
I mean, all I have to do is drink a bunch of water before my appointment - like 2 litres, maybe - eat a little and I'm set. Human bodies regenerate blood plasma within days, else you'd not be able to physically sustain donations twice a week, so the only thing I'm losing is my time, which I can spend on my phone.
Not even touching upon the societal and medicinal benefits of donating blood and plasma, I don't see what I'm losing here.
What's your stance on donating bone marrow and thrombocytes?