Organ Market pt4 - How have other countries + UK tried to eradicate the illegal trade in organs?

Question 1

How have many countries tried to eradicate illegal organ trafficking?

Answer 1

Many countries have passed legislation prohibiting the monetary compensation for the donation of organs. This aims to maintain the ethical practices of the organ market.

Question 2

What have the UK Gov done to eradicate the illegal market?

Answer 2

• Ban travel abroad to countries such as China for organ transplants.

Question 3

What are the drawbacks of banning travel to China for organ transplants?

Answer 3

• Banning travel to China reduces organ transplants therefore not enabling people to improve quality of life or even just survive.

Question 4

How can the UK Government eradicate the illegal market? (Demand Side).

Answer 4

Improve awareness about healthy eating and other positive changes that people can make to reduce the chances of organ failure.
Therefore less people needing organ transplants and therefore reduce demand in illegal market.

• But won’t eradicate.

Question 5

How can the UK Government eradicate the illegal market? (Supply Side).

Answer 5

• Greater law enforcement to identify organised crime groups and other individuals (e.g. organ brokers) to reduce the people that organise the organ transplants.
• Improve public awareness about the benefits of donating organs (before or after death) to increase donors.
• Use of animal organs instead of human organs? (Snippe et al. 2022).