Pricing a Brain...


In the hospital, relatives gathered waiting on news of their family member who was gravely ill. Finally, the doctor came in looking tired and somber.

“I’m afraid I’m the bearer of bad news,” he said as he surveyed the worried faces. “The only hope left for John at this time is a brain transplant. It’s an experimental procedure, very risky, but it is the only hope. Insurance will cover the procedure, but you will have to pay for the brain.”

The family members sat silent as they absorbed the news. After a time, someone thought to ask, “How much will a brain cost?”

The doctor quickly responded, “$5,000 for the brain of a religious believer; $200 for an Atheist brain.”

The moment turned awkward. One relative, unable to control his curiosity, finally blurted out the question everyone wanted to ask, “Why does a believer’s brain cost so much more than an Atheist brain?”

The doctor smiled at the childish innocence and patiently explained, “It’s just standard pricing procedure. We have to price Atheist brains a lot lower because they’ve been used.”