While whole blood is rarely "bought," plasma is frequently collected via private centers that offer financial compensation. This "compensated donation" is a multibillion-dollar industry, often sparking debate about whether it targets vulnerable populations. 2. The Metaphorical "Cost": Blood, Sweat, and Tears

Most national healthcare systems, like the American Red Cross , rely on unpaid volunteers to prevent the "commercialization" of the human body.

Creators often describe their work as an extension of their physical being. Selling a piece of "original art" is sometimes viewed as selling a piece of the artist's own "blood, sweat, and tears". Cultural Identity: Slogans like " My Blood is Biltong

" (a South African cured meat) use blood as a metaphor for heritage and what "fuels" a person's identity.