When real life catches up with fiction

Anyone who has read Larry Niven’s science fiction will appreciate this little story.

A convicted serial killer from New Jersey has been given permission to donate a kidney to the relative of a friend. Charles Cullen has admitted killing 29 patients during his 16 year career as a nurse. He avoided the death penalty by agreeing to help identify his victims.

One of Niven’s recurring story lines was a possible future where condemned criminals became forced donors for organ transplants. Taking it to it’s logical conclusion, Niven postulated that as demand for organs grew, capital punishment would be imposed for lesser and lesser offenses. One story told of a man sentenced to death for reckless driving (running a red light, I believe)…….

Could this be the start? Hmmmmm. Drive safely folks!