© All Rights Reserved 2026 | Privacy Policy
Tax ID / EIN: 23-7441306
Skyline of Las Vegas
Real news. Real stories. Real voices.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Supported by

Americans are selling plasma to make extra money

With rising rent, utilities and the cost of groceries, a growing number of people are selling their blood plasma to make extra money. The U.S. is one of a handful of nations that allows people to sell their plasma.

Some say the multi-billion-dollar industry of turning human plasma into life-saving medications exploits America’s poor. But there is evidence that areas with blood plasma selling centers benefit economically with fewer payday loans and reduced crime.

David Martin Davies from Texas Public Radio reports.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2025 WBUR

Tags
Sink your teeth into our annual collection of dining — and drinking — stories, including a tally of Sin City's Tiki bars, why good bread is having a moment, and how one award-winning chef is serving up Caribbean history lessons through steak. Plus, discover how Las Vegas is a sports town, in more ways than one. Bon appétit!