At the end of the show it becomes clear that is was all fake and a only puclicity action for getting more donors.

Arnold, Eindhoven, Netherlands

This has been the best show ever! It was a publicity stunt! Before the show we didn't know what to expect, so we just wachted. We also felt really sorry for the candidates who were 'dismissed'. The reasons 'Lisa' gave where ridiculous! For example: too old, no job, (ex) smoker etc. At the end of the show, while we were just laying down on the couch, watching Lisa to make THE descision. Out of the bleu the host of the show interupted, told everybody to be aware of the need of donorcodocils. But also told us, that Lisa, the woman with only six months to live, was an actress!!!!! And it was just a show to get attention for everybody. But not only the netherlands, but also you guys in England, Germany, half of Europe! >>>>>

Manon en Hanneke, Rotterdam, Netherlands

The programme turned out to be a hoax, solely intended to put the problems concerning organ donation waiting lists.

Louis, Broekland, The Netherlands

I know it's easy to state this after the show has been aired, but has nobody thought about the fact that the show was set up to fix attention on the donor problem and that they were never actually going to 'give away' a kidney? Even though I thought this was probably the case, the points they made were still valid, even if they DID decide to give the kidney to a contestant. Although negative attention, the attention was still given to the problem.
I've had a read through what people from other countries have had to say (and people from Holland) and most of the commentary from abroad came down to that this could only happen in Holland. I hope that all the newspapers, tv-station and other media now give this show their attention again and explain to their countries what has really happened, so that the donor problem gets the needed attention.

Lieke, Zutphen, Netherlands

The show just finished and, obviously, it was a fake. This Lisa was an actress, but the contestants were real.

From my point of view, this is a brilliant idea to focus public attention to the matter. TV crews from all over the world reported on the programme and discussions appeared on major national networks. Sure if this were real, it would be a display of extremely bad taste, but it's a good thing that freedom of speech and press prevails.

A funny fact is that the concerning Dutch minister filed a donor registration for himself because of the discussion this TV show started. It's just one person but hopefully more people will follow his example, I mean what good are your organs when you're dead?

Pieter, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Great stunt it was, wasn't it? I truly hope that it woke up a couple of people...

Erwin, Amersfoort, The Netherlands

I just watched the show. It was all fake. Lisa is no cancer patient. The whole show was a set-up to get more attention for the growing problem of having too little donors.

And it has worked. It grabbed nation (or even world!)-wide attention and has shaken many people who until now were not engaged with the fate of people waiting for a kidney.

I love BNN. They did a great thing this night.

Okke Formsma, Amsterdam, Netherlands

People in the show will volunteer, the main importance is to shed a light on the way donorregistar works right now.

I would like to see it the other way around, namely everybody who doesn't want to be a donor should react negative.

This will boost the amount of donors.

Provocative ?

Yes, but often people need that to be aware of an unacceptable situation.

Hans van der Leer, Bolsward, Netherlands

Life has thrown a curve at Lisa: she has not long to live due to a brain tumour and before she dies she wants to make a gesture. A very noble thing to do, but why send the message around the world? I can fully understand she wants to get as much out of her life as possible before her death, as a former dialysis patient I felt the same way. I was lucky enough to get my transplant within my family but I didn´t feel the need to highlight my case with the media and neither did my donor. Just do the right thing Lisa, within the 4 walls of the hospital, with the experts (and you know how good the Dutch are when it comes to health care, advice and guidance, being Dutch yourself), a good support network at home and make your donation.

deirdre, groningen, groningen, NL

For anyone who doesnt like this method of allocating a kidney I say you try waiting and waiting and waiting for an organ on the transplant list knowing that every day the odds on you dying without receiving an organ get shorter and shorter.

If you are a cystic fibrosis patient in the UK by the time you are ill enough to be placed on the list to receive a new pair of lungs you know that half of the patients like you die within 12 months. That is how serious the organ shortage is from the deceased donor list.

Transplants not only save lives but make people feel well again. People generally agree with deceased organ donation in principle. But only a small minority sign on the organ donor register. Meanwhile behind the scenes people are dying daily for want of a transplant. I am glad this programme has hit people between the eyes and is forcing the need for organs into the public arena.

Helen, London, UK

Just to elude: the B of the networks name BNN comes from 'Bart', which is the first name of the initiator of the network that started of as a one persons network and thrived on this one persons energy and will to live and to make a difference.
In a quirky way the other shows mentioned have helped, in my personal opinion, young (and older) people to make more sensible decisions related to their sexuality and to drugs of all sorts in an increasingly confusing world. I personally would not dismiss them as just tasteless and rating driven.
I just hope that the makers of the show and its participants somehow will be able to move something in the donor issue in a way that is respectfull and well worth of Barts rememberance.
A issue where all the politicians and all other media so far have failed to provide solutions.

Chris, Netherlands,

--- VIEWERS DO NOT DECIDE ---
Now let me repeat this, just to be sure everybody understands this.
--- VIEWERS DO NOT DECIDE ---
Lisa (the donor) has the last say in this.
The interaction with the public and viewers (through SMS) is solely advisory.


Some background info:

Duch law states that you can't have influence on who gets your organs after you die.
The only way the donor (Lisa) can have a say in it, is by donating organs during life.

Erwin, Breda, NL

To get the discussion more interesting. Four people have already said that they would like to give there kidney to the losers of the program.

And no it ain't another kidney of the market because you just don't know when you will die. I will try to explain, you can only be a donor if you die with healthy organs in a hospital. This is done by only 5 to 10% of the deaths, as most are in people's sleep or due to an accident. Lisa and others want to share there healthy organs when they are alive, because she knows she will die eventually.

T.Bunt, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Liver Donation meets television...In the mist of a terrorist giant wave, in wich we feel as powerless as in the tsunami "factor", we have a say in the matter. And while the ruling goverments all over Europe rush to say this is imoral, they also end their speech telling us there's nothing they can do about it. As well in all the matters that matter... The only and real good thing about all this, is the fact that people are talking about organ donation. You realize you can do a difference in the world right "next door". Much quicker that trough politics.And the way you can do it is : Aknowlegde the problem and bring it to public discussion.

Ana, Lisbon, Portugal

Is the Dutch Minister for Health (Mr. Klink) also a donor?
If this was a requirement for the job then the incumbent from whatever political party could lead the way in starting organ donation. Remember: nobody can take an organ from you while you are alive without your permission. But if you give permission while alive, then die, you are still doing the right thing. The government has a responsibility to fully inform, educate and encourage public awareness on donation. A safe, informative campaign is needed and this has to start with the Minister for Health.

deirdre, groningen, groningen, NL

“The contestants in the show have a 33 per cent chance,” said Laurens Drillich, BNN chairman. “That’s a much larger chance than if they were on the organ waiting list.”

.... he forgot to mention that that the persons on the organ waiting list now have an even lower chance of getting a new kidney since he claimed it for his TV-show. All that for the sake of raising viewer numbers.

Disgusting...

B. van der Rest, Slependen, Norway

Please inform yourselves before judging. BNN is known for controversial, shocking but always very integer and pure shows. That people might dislike these is ok. Everybody has his own opinion about it. But the judging of this dutch program by some hypocrit americans is too much. Please judge your own strange things first:

driving a big car at 16 (licence available at local grocery store)!!!! buying guns at the local grocery store!!!! Schools as a battle scene!!!! Questionable health care!!!! A total fool in charge!!!! For christ sake, most of you don't even know where the netherlands is!

Sjors, weert, Netherlands

I find the show detestable but do not find criticism from a country where people privately die WITHOUT proper heath care very convincing. See Michael Moore's film sicko first. Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye. --Luke 6:42 ...

Johan , Amsterdam, Netherlands

Please - If you have your perspective of the Dutch, don't change it drastically by some TV programme made by a corporation named BNN. Keep in mind that not all Dutch are suddenly like "Yes we must broadcast this on television! It's a wonderful idea!"

Personally I'm also against this idea, because it's too personal and too.. hectic to be shown on television. So yes, I agree with some Americans or British who comment on this article. Remember that there are always people (Dutch in this case) who react positively, negatively or don't react at all at a situation. Please don't think all Dutch support these kind of things on television.

But I do agree that there should be more attention for donorship. And maybe making a TV programme about it it's a good way to get that attention. But this programme is certainly not the kind of "getting the attention" I support or "like".

Just don't think all Dutch do drugs for instance when there's a TV programma about it. Please.

Daniel, Naarden, The Netherlands

BNN has made more remarkable television.
"Over my dead body" a show in witch the talked to terminal ill youngsters, a show called "Squirting and swallowing" a show on drugs and sex (a presentor let the people see, in an controlled enviroment, the effects of drugs), and many more.

The founder of BNN (Bart de Graaff, may he rest in peace, look him up in youtube or something) has made some remarkable television aswell.

I hope this show is a one-time thing, then it is great for making people aware of the need to fill in your donor-forms (while living) and making the public aware for the need of organ-donors. (And I think they have succieded, all around the globe people talk about this show and hopefully they're going to talk if the would be a donor aswell.)

Christiaan, Apeldoorn, Nederland

The moral problem is not with the three 'candidates' signing up for this. Most would probably do the same in their position. The problem is with the people who make it possible. How can you put someone's life in the hands of "the viewers".
The person who will be giving her organ away, in my opinion, also has a very twisted view on life. In essence, she is asking people to demonstrate to her who has the 'best life' in order for her to decide who gets her kidney. Who can put up the best show for her?
The fact is that there are other ways to turn attention to a shortage of kidney donors. They may be less shocking and may generate less attention, but at least there will not be any 'losers'. Let these delicate choices of life and death be made by professionals on objective (medical) grounds.

Thomas Stoop, Utrecht, The Netherlands

If I were to donate my organs, I would also want to know who is going to get it.
I wouldnt want to see my liver go to some alcoholic who ruined his liver while knowing it. With a shortage of donor organs, I think the girl who will be donating has a point in wanting to have a say in who will get it. Some people just deserve it more then others.

Rob, Amsterdam, Netherlands

BNN are not the immoral bunch this article makes them out to be. They got criticized before, after anouncing other provocative program formats. These criticisms switfly disappeared after these shows went on air. Contrary to what the article states, BNN are not a private but a public broadcaster, with programmes intended for a young audience. In the past, several of their programmes have dealt with young people suffering from severe illness. Anyone who suspects BNN of 'exploiting illness for ratings' has propably never seen these programmes.

I expect the show on Friday to end with the revelation that 'Lisa' is an actress and that the whole show was a spoof, followed by an appeal to the viewer to become an organ donor.

Gaas Bak, Rotterdam,

Your country is fighting in IRAC and you moralise our TV programs ? Come on ! Support life for a change !

Sign the application form to become an organ donor like me. That is what this is all about.

Wim van den Bergh, Kraggenburg, Netherlands

From any other station I would consider this program as bad taste, but considering BNN and the way they brought previous "provocative" show ideas makes me trustfull about this show. The article is full of errors and the fact that EndeMol produced Big brother has nothing to do with this and is used influence the readers opinion. EndeMol is a production company that produces the majority of tv productions in the netherlands (also the "price is right" like programs).
It is a shame that an article in this way this is published here, mr "Roger Boyes" should start working for a gossip magazine..

Rene de Koning, Venhuizen, Netherlands

The Times doesn't pay attention to the background reason of this programm. This surprises me highly. A few years ago the TV director of BNN died because of a new kidney was not working correctly. This TV programm is there to get in a more or less sarcastic way attention from the media, in which they clearly succeed, to get attention to get new kidneydonors and to get a discussion.

Edwin M., Amsterdam, Holland

BNN is one of the most influential public broadcast channel towards the youth because of their daring and on-the-edge shows.

This show will get the discussion going so perhaps more people will sign up as donor.

This objective is most probably more important to the candidates then getting a new healthy kidney.

And its already working considering the amount of reactions on this website and all of the other media attention.

HORRIBLE SHOW - BEAUTIFUL IDEA

Alroye Wiesell, Den Helder, The Netherlands

This has nothing to do with bad taste or entertainment. It just brings the organ shortage back in the spotlight. I expect it to be a plain publicity campaign and think Lisa is just one of the (healthy) actors.

Talking about ways to get attention: Yesterday evening, British artist Mark McGowan has eaten a Corgi dog during a live London radio broadcast as protest against the Royal fox hunting in the UK.

We may be facing a trend here :O)

Michiel, Baarn, The United Netherlands

Why is it that this article is only depicting half the truth? There are lots of sollutions to the problem of a shortage of (kidney-)donors. The dutch governement however failed year after year to resolve this problem. By airing this "show" BNN is protesting against this lazy attitude of both government as well as of those who would love to get a donor kidney/hart/lung if theirs should fail but never signed a donorcodicil. This in memory of their beloved Bart de Graaf, charismatic founder of BNN. Who died of a kindeyfailure ............

Hans, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Thanks for this welcome critique on another publicity stunt by BNN, a "public" corporation known for its sleazy programmes. Interesting to see that other commentators only try to critizice the article on grounds of alleged factual errors (none actually) and do not try to see why so many people in The Netherlands and abroad have a problem with this show. The shortage of organs is no game, it's not funny but a deep crisis. This crisis should be adressed in a grown-up manner and not in the sensational way BNN does. Dutch television and BNN (which shouldn't be a "public" broadcaster anymore after this nonsense) have really sunk to a new low.

BTW, Dutch "public" broadcasters are in fact "private" organisations. It's the system they operate in that is publically funded. Otherwise there's no big difference between any commercial media outlet and stations like BNN.

Phil, Rotterdam,

Sir,
Ah the Dutch, either ever the pragmatic defenders of the freedoms of our civilisation, or the extremist shocktroops of a myopic irresponsible "libertarianism" - take your pick.

SC, London, United Kingdom

This show shoul not be neccesary if the donor law is not beeing changed. It is still on voluntary bases and when it is changed to mendentory it will save a lot waiting time for the patients.

Every one has a very strong opinion over terorisme, but when you can help a suffering neighbour for enlisting yourself for a donor you don't want to listen and have excusses.

I'am since 20 years ready for donating my organs for those who can need some thing from me. If somebody will see this show, I hope that many donors will be found.

I whis that the Dutch Goverment wil change this law; so that everyone is a donor candidate automaticly.

And I wish that family members don't reject the reqeust what a family member had for donating their organs for those who need a organ.

This is a very hard wake-up call for the organ world.

Rob A. Wever, Roermond, Netherlands/Limburg

Sara from Rotterdam apparantly doesn't understand the article, otherwise she wouldn't criticisize it for not mentioning certain facts which are indeed mentioned. BNN is known in The Netherlands for sleazy programmes, aimed at high ratings which tackle real problems in a pseudo-caring manner. The shortage of organs ready to be donated is no fun or game, it shouldn't be treated as one. We are now discussing BNN and its lack of ethics but not the shortage of organs. Thanks BNN for ruining the debate!

Philip, Rotterdam,

It's a show to wake people up and let them think twice about their donorship.

buufje, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Having to watch my mum die by degrees--up close and personal--from kidney diease, and being a canadate for that aflfiction myself, I still find this programme highly disturbing. It's brought de-humanizaion of the modern world to a new low. I used to like the open-mindedness of Netherlanders, now, sadly...I have my reservations about them.

Nancy, Glens Falls, USA NY

Reading through this article makes me realize how desperate certain situations can be. I understand that the situation is out of hand in The Netherlands concerning being a donor and it is good that a broadcast station wants to bring it under the attention of the people, but is there no other way of doing so?
Since about 8 or 9 years the government decided to do something about the situation. Instead of having to go to the doctor or the hospital to pick up forms to become a donor people who turn 18 will get forms send to their home with the question to become donor. But people don't seem to care till the moment they need a donor themselves. But I wonder if this is a problem only the Dutch struggle with. How is it arranged in the UK or other European countries for that matter. You can't tell me that The Netherlands is the only country struggling.

Annemarie Davelaar, Beijing, China (Dutch National)

Yes it is shocking and appalling, but this TV format makes the reality of kidney patients painfully clear. A collegue of mine lost a loved one just recently, because there was no donor kidney available on time.

This show gets people hopefully out of their comfort zone, and force them to think about what they want to do with their body after they die.

This is not telling people that there is a shortage on donor kidney's; this is really communicating the truth behind problem. And sometimes the truth is very, very inconvenient...

Erik, Rotterdam, Holland

Once again the politicians are lining up to tell us what should be broadcast and to impose their tastes on the rest of us. It is not up to them. They have no special standing or leadership role to play, even if they think they have. It is not even up to the majority public opinion, whatever that may be on this issue. It is up to the people directly concerned. That is what liberty means. We must positively promote liberty, even for things that we find distasteful. Otherwise we will lose it for ourselves.

Richard Baron, London, UK

The reason this show is going to beeing broadcasted, is deu to the reason that donorship is a voluntary. Because of this procedure the amount of donor organs are alarmingly low. If the donor-law could be changed from voluntary to mendetory (=automaticly), we would have enough donor-organs. People who don't sign-up for this don't care at all about these patients who need organs badly.

I am since 20 years, listed as donor for transplanting organs. If I am dead they can take everything from me for transplantation reasons; in order to help my fellow patients. I am not afraid in giving my organs a second life for someone else.

Everyone has a opinion for terorism that that should be fought by all means. But when it is concerning in giving another person a new start to live again. The don't give a reply.

I really wish that this show will be a waking up call for the rest of the world. I 'll challenge the non-donors to report yourself as a new donor for future patients as a restart.

Rob A. Wever, Roermond, Netherlands/Limburg

People who need a kidney have not much chance to get one. The people in this show have a chance of 33% to get one. so what is the problem????

Michel, Zeewolde, Netherlands

I doubt that the show will be shown on Dutch television.
But hey, BNN just made it international news. So people are discussing the donor problematics. And that's exactly what this broadcast station wanted.

J.I. Lammertsma, Deventer, The Netherlands

Is it really that horrible? I'm from the Netherlands and no you can't see it like playing russian roulette. You don't die trying to get a new kidney this way. It will only increase your chance of getting a healthy kidney. You will stay on the donor list.

Of course it will be terrible to see two contestants lose, but don't you think they are well guided by psychologists? They know they can lose, just like with every other competition. This only gives them another opportunity. And I do think that that moment will encourage dutch people to become an organ donor.

T. Bunt, Eindhoven, Netherlands/NB

How can you get any opinion about this, when this article even doesn't have its facts straight?
1. BNN is not a private, but a public broadcaster.
2. Bart de Graaff was not 'one of it's leading entertainers', but the charismatic founding father of Bart's Neverending Network (BNN).
3: BNN has a series of shows to commerate his life (as he died five years ago). This show is a part of this and their idea, they just use Endemol for its experience on the concept.
4: The contestants agree upon that attention for the transplantation problem is more important than their own.
5: Despite a huge goverment campaign, where every Dutchman is asked to register as an organdonator, the number of organdonations has dropped in the Netherlands.

And that's where the real public outcry should be about. The HORRIBLE GENOCIDE that is taking place, because people just don't care and are to selfabsorbed to even think about others.

Eddie de Zoete, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Hi,

As a Dutch reader I have some comments on this article. This show is raising a lot of comments, but many of them are based on incorrect information. With this reply I hope to make some things more clear.

BNN (which stands for Bart's Neverending Network) is a small public (!) broadcaster named after its founder Bart de Graaff. Bart died five years ago from a kidney disease. He had one or two kidneytransplants with prolonged his life, but at the age of 35 he eventually died. He has always fought to get more people to become organ donors because the demand outnumbers the supply.
After his death, BNN continued to make shows, sometimes a bit provocative but always with the right aim. For instance, the 'drug show' where the LSD is taken, is made with the idea that people use drugs anyway, so better inform them on the consequences than leave them ignorant.

Therefore, I trust BNN to make this show in a responsible way and I definitely hope that the amount of donors will increase

N. van Boom, The Netherlands,

I hope viewers of big brother will remember this total lack of taste and sensitivity from the same production firm and switch channels. Life and death, suffering and the grief of families for terminally ill relatives is not a suitable subject for mass hysterical entertainment. I can see the arguments for education, but this is not a suitable way to achieve the end result. A very close friend of mine is watching her mother in a similar position and her reaction - totally appalled at the insensitivity and bad taste - shows that this is already hurting the people it is supposed to help.

Richard Gotch, Banbury, Oxfordshire

They have all the attention they wanted.....

Dominic, The Hague, Holland

Please do keep in mind that the former chairman of BNN (the broadcaster) was a well known Dutch TV personality who died because of a kidney disease. What they are trying to do with this 'show', is attract the attention of a huge problem in the Netherlands. The problem? Becoming a donor in my country is a choice. That has to change, there are not enough donors in this country.

Sadly enough, the only way to attract the attention for problems like these, is to shock people. It might be controversial, but if we can achieve to have more people registered as a donor through a 'show' like this, then what's the problem?

M. Hagelen, Utrecht, The Netherlands

To explain this TV-show to people outside the Netherlands, they need to understand what kind of network BNN is.

They really do have the best of intentions with this show. It's not about high ratings: they're a public network which means they don't need to attract a lot of viewers, they're not even allowed to make money!

While I too was originally very skeptical, my opinion has changed when I saw how much this show has achieved already, before even being broadcasted. Young people that were ignorant about the urgency of the problem are talking about it now, and the amount of donor's is already growing.

This is the first time people get confronted so personally with the consequences of their donor-choice, but why shouldn't they? It IS a matter of life and death, doesn't that matter more then our feelings of awkwardness when seeing the losers' faces?

By the way, I predict the 2 'losers' won't die either. After seeing the show, donor's will probably line up for them.

S Janus, Maastricht, the Netherlands

maybe something to add, this is not a commercial tv station, its the national tv, which doesnt have profit, also BNN is a foundation who cant make profit,
This is a good action to adress the problem, the 3 people who can "win" the organ also know that, and if u need an organ for real, its also a lottery

and look it this way, if this show is aired, its bound let more people registered as a donor, and thats the reason they air it
excuse me for my bad english

martijn, Tilburg, Netherlands

BNN was and is always in the forefront of experimental tv.
You need to correct your article though. Besides being far from onjevctive and pinpointing the actual problem (donor-shortage) you also misstated some facts. BNN is not a private broadcaster but a membership-based public broadcaster.
The leading entertainer who died due to kidney-failure was the founder of BNN.

Also, its not the viewers who decide. Its the terminally ill patient who gets to decide who is going to have her kidney.

Seriously, before even starting to criticize an experimental show like this it might be more professional to do better research on it.

Kevin, London, UK

Everyone seems to be forgetting that, if it concerns healt, BNN is the best broadcaster out there. They have a reputation to handle life threatening disease with care.
For example, they have a show about young people with serious illnesses. They interview them, and talk about the problems they encounter, and how they feel about the fact that they have diseases such as cancer, MS, Crohn's diseases disease, etc.

When it comes to health, they are THE best broadcaster there is!

The show sounds over the edge, I’m sure BNN can pull it of, and make a really sensible TV show.

F. Coenen, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

I'm Dutch and I must say that i dislike the Idea of letting people make such big dissisions on TV, but that's not the problem here.

The real problem is the waitinglist for a donor. The only thing this show does is making people aware of the problem. Ok, it's a painfull way of letting the audience know how big the problem really is, but is it really that different then all the commercials we see about Afrika and all the kids that are dying out there? Those commercials are also making it painfully clear what will happen if you don't deposite money.

We (the Dutch) are the most progressive country in the world. It has given us a society where we accept gay people, we limit drug abuse in a good way and a we are a country where the dialog is always the issue. This show is an opening to a dialog, but at the same time is doesn't do anything other than picturing the painfull thruth about people who are waiting for a donor. Wouldn't you want a 33% chance? Al we have to do is give!

Erik Hogeboom, Enschede, Netherlands

I think i agree with Sara on this issue; BNN is convincing enough that it's not just for the money or the effect.

By the way, BNN is a (remarkable) public broadcaster, not a private one (hence the political interference)

Wendy, Arnhem, Netherlands

This really is nasty. I don't believe it will do anything to positively highlight a genuine problem. The 'losers' in this show may come to be seen as somehow unworthy of an organ - how truly repelent. Can't we all grow up! Not everything in the world is up for the vote to the general public. If the founder of this network died of kidney failure then that is a personal tragedy - not a justification of this TV horror.

maria nugent, london,

Anything for good ratings. And about that parlement of ours. They should focus on hole bunch of other things. If we have to wait for them to do someting about the Shortcoming of donors (or anything else), no one is going to get a new kidney.

I bet half the people from the CDA party aren't donors there selfs.

Jeroen, Amsterdam, Netherlands, the

Are we to assume that in order to "highlight the long waiting lists for donor organs" further, Endemol are going to donate the enormous sums of money that the programme is likely to generate to the cause?
I worry that a person's private suffering has been turned into public spectacle and ifeel that Endemol are hiding behind the "I'ts all for charidee" smokescreen

Ed Hart, Oxford,

This has nothing to do with Russian Roulette. If you loose with Russian Roulette you die. If you loose in this show nothing will change. The show just gives you an extra chance to survive. The issue is that here amusement is combined with life and death. As is done in every James Bond film and in every News item about the wars in the Middle East . And BNN indeed produces programmes about sex. Sex is beautiful, nothing is wrong with sex . Why are people critisising the few programmes about sex whereas every single night films are broadcasted full of violence and killings?

Hans, Amsterdam, Netherlands

I am Dutch and see myself as modestly liberal, but I'm really appalled and embarrased about this whole idea!

I am a registered donor myself and it would be absolutely fantastic if more people agreed to be donors.
But not this way! TV-station BNN is known for their controversial programmes, but this show is completely unethical and a total disgrace if you ask me. What other horrors will await us on Dutch TV!!!

In the Netherlands we have a waitinglist for organtransplants, and it is only logical that an available organ will go to the first on this list. Maybe the producers and other people involved in making this horrible TV show could donate one of their own kidneys to help people on the waitinglist!!

Danielle Janssen, Ede, the Netherlands

Let me start with the fact that I'm not going to watch the show on Friday (I'm living in the Netherlands).
I think that one has to consider that the chance for receiving a donor organ in this show is so tempting that moral barriers shift. If this was your only chance to survive - what would YOU do?

A. Chatziantoniou, Utrecht, Netherlands

The tone of this article is far from objective. Thank you Roger Boyes for sharing your opinion...

However, facts are:
- there is an extreme shortage of organ (esp. kidney) donors (in the Netherlands);
- the founder of this network died of kidney failure himself 5 years ago;
- finally there is widespread public debate over this pressing issue!

And don't tell me the organ donor problem is a Dutch one. This has nothing to do with Dutch liberalism either. Someone needed to turn the attention to this subject NOW, because people are dying waiting for organs as we speak. Before you comment, ask yourself, what have you done to solve this problem other than criticizing others who try..?

Sara, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Was "nobody ever got rich by over-estimating the audience's taste" one of Louis B Meyer's? There's nothing new here except for the inevitable slow creep - if people bought the last idea, we have to come up with a new one before our competitors copy the old one.

Of course,if it's true that the people on the show have a greater chance than people on the waiting list, and _if_ it results in more people becoming organ donors because of that, then it raises some delicate moral questions.

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

I used to like Dutch liberalism but this is a step too far. What viewers will really see are two people (and their families/friends) who are going to feel absolutely shattered by losing a last chance for lift, in front of a television audience.

It is exactly like playing Russian Roulette on national TV.

HORRIBLE IDEA

A. Carrington, Machias, USA/Maine