Guest Author - Maria Thompson

On Tuesday morning eBay removed a listing from a Georgia man who was offering to sell his kidney on eBay for $250,000. The auction listing read, ""I am a white male, 44 years old, in excellent health and wish to sell one of my kidneys for $250,000 plus all expenses. My blood type is O-negative. Serious inquiries only." eBay quickly removed the listing later that morning.

No offers had been made on the kidney when the listing was removed. According to Howard Nathan, president and chief executive officer of the Gift Of Life donor program, buying or selling organs is forbidden by U.S. law and is punishable by up to five years in prison or a $50,000 fine.

This is not the first time that someone has tried to sell a kidney on eBay. On September 3, 1999, bids on another kidney reached almost $6 million dollars before the sale was stopped. The bidding had started at $25,000. The description read: "You can choose either kidney. Buyer pays all transplant and medical costs. Of course only one for sale, as I need the other one to live. Serious bids only."

For more information about organ donation visit OrganDonation.org.

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