The sweet voice of reason works swiftly in Singapore.  Less than six months after I blogged about its Health Minister’s interest in legalizing kidney sales, it’s “almost certain to pass into law after another reading in Singapore’s government-dominated parliament.”  The whole story:

A controversial amendment to legalize the payment of compensation to
organ donors was put before the Singapore parliament this week and
while the health ministry is yet to decide on the upper limit for
reimbursement, it is expected to be at least S$50,000 (US$33,000).

Better still, it’s kidney trading without anti-foreign bias:

Critics [Curse their evil minds! – BC] point out that while this sort of figure may be viewed as just
compensation by a Singaporean professional who has to take months off
work, the same amount would be an inducement to many less well-off
people both within Singapore and from neighboring countries such as
Malaysia and Indonesia. And, crucially, the government has insisted
that it will not be bringing in a ban on foreign donors receiving
compensation, which would be paid by the receiver or charities such as
the National Kidney Foundation, as to do so would be discriminatory.

My question for Singaporean readers: If you put this measure up for a popular vote, would it pass?

HT: Tyler