Chapter 12 Objectives:
- Defining organ trafficking
- Learn about the scope of the problem
- Learn about the High Demand
What is organ trafficking?
It is the transplantation of healthy organs into persons whose own organs have failed, improves and saves thousands of lives every year. But demand for organs has outstripped supply, creating an underground market for illicitly obtained organs.
The Scope:
It is the transplantation of healthy organs into persons whose own organs have failed, improves and saves thousands of lives every year. But demand for organs has outstripped supply, creating an underground market for illicitly obtained organs.
- Desperate situations of both recipients and donors create an avenue ready for exploitation by international organ trafficking syndicates.
- Traffickers exploit the desperation of donors to improve the economic situation of themselves and their families, and they exploit the desperation of recipients who may have few other options to improve or prolong their lives.
The Scope:
International Prices for Organs
Low Supply, High Demand
Traffickers orchestrate the recruitment of the donor often from a place of vulnerability, and victims are not necessarily properly screened for their qualifications to be a healthy donor. Desperate patients in need of an organ may fall prey to a trafficker who could be posing as a “reputable” representative of an altruistic organ matching organization. Financial exploitation plays a key part in both sides of this scenario.
Prices in the United States
Traffickers orchestrate the recruitment of the donor often from a place of vulnerability, and victims are not necessarily properly screened for their qualifications to be a healthy donor. Desperate patients in need of an organ may fall prey to a trafficker who could be posing as a “reputable” representative of an altruistic organ matching organization. Financial exploitation plays a key part in both sides of this scenario.
Prices in the United States
Ask Yourself:
WATCH: Organ Trafficking Documentary
http://www.humanharvestmovie.com/
- How does supply and demand play a role in organ trafficking?
- Which countries is organ trafficking most prevalent?
WATCH: Organ Trafficking Documentary
http://www.humanharvestmovie.com/