2. Introduction
● 1828, case of the Doctor
Robert Knox, Edinburgh
3. ● In the 80s, the « transplantation
tourism » : rich Asians went to India in
order to get organs from poor donors.
4. 1) Definition and causes
● What is an organ trafficking ?
The illegal organ trade is a form of
widespread organized crime where organs
are illegaly obtained and traded for
transplantation.
5. ● 3 main categories :
- cases where traffickers force or deceive the
donors to give up an organ
- cases where the donors agree to sell an
organ, these victims are usually cheated out
of money
- organs are removed without the
victims'knowledge
6. ● Causes :
- increase in diabetes, livers and heart
diseases : rising of the demand of organs
- medical advances that have made it
easier to take parts of the liver, lungs and
kidneys from live donors
- when you face the death, you do anything
you can to save your life
7. 2) Organ trade in the world
● 1 person dies every 90 minutes waiting for an
organ transplant surgery
● Ilegal trade increases in developed
countries due to shortage of organ donation
8. ● Attempted to legalize selling
organs for a profit in 1994.
● Organs are sold online. Many
doctors participate to earn
extra money.
● Because of the corruption in
India, organ trafficking is
prevalent almost everywhere.
9. ● China has the lowest donor rate in the world
● It has 1,5 million people in need of new organs
and only 10,000 a year get one legally.
● 90 % of organs from China are from deceased
prisoners
10. ● The leader in illegal organ
trafficking. Moldova
● Every 6 minutes an organ
is being removed from a
Moldovan and sold.
● Moldovan government has
no laws or restrictions
against illegal organ
trafficking
11. ● Iran is the only country in the world where
selling an organ for a profit is legal.
● Usually sellers earn about $1,000 to $2,000 for
a kidney.
12. A popular urban legend warns against
getting drunk with strangers in Las
Vegas, lest you awaken in an ice bath,
missing a kidney.
(cf. Made To Stick)
13. Opinion poll
● How much does a heart cost in
Taiwan ?
● How much for a liver in China ?
● A lung in South Africa ?
14. → Heart from Taiwan = $290,000 = €225,000
→ Liver from China = $130,000 = €100,000
→ Lung from South Africa = $290,000 = €225,000
15. Debate
● What do you think about organ trade ?
(shocked ? taboo subject ? …)
● Would you be willing to buy an organ to
save your life ?
(in spite of the exorbitant price, ethical issue...)
16. ● What could be the solutions to avoid the
organ trade ?
(international law more rigorous ? By developing
awareness about organ donation ? …)
● Would you be willing to donate one of
your organs ?
