[jacquesm]

I've looked at this from a fathers perspective and have made the decision that no matter how much my kids may be a good match I would never want to be a donor recipient from them. That short-circuits a lot of ethical dilemmas around such a decision and making that decision well before it would ever come into play makes it a lot easier. My eldest one day said he'd gladly give up a kidney for me and it caused me to think about that at a time when it wasn't even on the horizon (fortunately it still isn't). That doesn't mean I do not appreciate the sentiment (and that I think you are tremendously brave) but it wouldn't sit right with me as a parent.

A big part of that is that they would be giving up something that they may very well need later in life and I may be condemning them to a reduced quality of life at some point in the future (possibly long after I've passed away but that doesn't really matter). Another part is that I don't want to see my children in any way diminished or at risk because of me, they're not 'spare parts'. On the reverse I would do in a heartbeat. These are tricky problems.

[esotericsean]

That is probably how I would feel as a parent as well. Though, just to put it out there, if you're a donor your retained kidney grows and makes up for the one that was removed. Also, you're given priority on the waiting list in the future should you ever need one yourself.

[sokoloff]

Indeed tricky problems; I suspect the same thought process that leads you to doing it for them in a heartbeat is likely theirs for you. The difference of a few dozen years in expected longevity due to your head start isn't that massive.