Illegal organ trade is more sophisticated than one might think - who's behind it and how it could be controlled
These reports and cases are part of a global proliferation of the organ trade that started in the late 1980s.
- These reports and cases are part of a global proliferation of the organ trade that started in the late 1980s.
- Despite strategies to enlarge the donor organ pool, the worldwide organ shortage grows every year.
- I’ve found that claims are made about the organ trade in the absence of factual data.
- The organ trade is a complex crime and is fuelled by the high demand for organ transplants and rising global inequalities.
- The root causes of the trade need to be addressed, and stronger responses (not necessarily laws) are needed to tackle the more organised and exploitative forms of the trade.
What is the trade in human organs?
- Organ trade constitutes the sale and purchase of organs for financial or material gain.
- Although reliable figures are lacking, the WHO estimated in 2008 that 5% of all transplants performed worldwide were illegal.
- Living donor kidneys is the most commonly reported form of organ trade.
- The WHO has further estimated that the total number of transplants performed worldwide is less than 10% of the global need.
Addressing a complex crime
- A first step would be to reach agreement on what types of organ trade we find condemnable.
- Some studies demonstrate that the organ trade can constitute serious organised crime.
- The organ trade involves a variety of practices which range from excessive exploitation (trafficking) to voluntary, mutually agreed benefits (trade).
- For example, organ sellers are reluctant to report abuses because organ sales are criminalised and sellers will be held liable.