Need a kidney? Good luck. The average waiting time for a kidney is 1,121 days, and around 4,500 people die every year waiting for a kidney. Currently around over 78,000 Americans are waiting for kidneys. The number of deaths while waiting are expected to become much worse in the coming years as baby boomers age.
Desperate for help, some patients are flying all over the world to buy kidneys from living donors. It’s a gamble, and the kidney one buys might not work out. But when you know you’re going to get worse and you’re tired of sitting around waiting while you’re miserable and sick, well…desperate times call for desperate measures.
Just ask Mark Schofield.
A couple of years ago, the 43 year old flew out to the Philippines with £40,000 in hopes of finding a poverty stricken Filipino who could use the money from selling a kidney. Simply put, Schofield is what’s known as a “transplant tourist.”
Welcome to One Kidney Island
It’s no coincidence that Mr. Schofield went to the Philippines to purchase his kidney. He’s just one of many transplant tourists who visits the poor island to purchase organs from living donors. That’s why the Philippines has earned the nickname “One Kidney Island.”
As The Daily Mail describes it:
“They stand in line in the stinking slums, their shirts lifted and arms raised to reveal the 13-inch long scars carved into their sides.
Poor, desperate and mutilated – these are the human victims of the profitable trade in kidneys in the Philippines.
For a cash payment of £1,000 – a fantastic amount in a country where 15million people earn a dollar a day – each of these “volunteers” has donated an organ to a wealthy foreigner.”
It’s unknown how many donors die during surgery or from infections weeks later, but given the destitute, unsterile conditions many of the donors live in, it’s safe to assume that not all kidney donors have the chance to spend their earnings.
Other Countries Where You Can Buy A Kidney
While the Philippines is the most notorious kidney market, there are many other nations where the organ trade is very easy to find. These include:
- Brazil
- Pakistan
- India
- South Africa
- Turkey
- America
Yes, you read that right: America. While most kidneys are purchased overseas, with the right connections you absolutely can buy a kidney right here in the good old USA. Of course, it’s highly illegal and can probably land you in prison, but it’s still being done nonetheless. As you may recall from last year’s New Jersey sting operation that arrested two mayors and a few Rabbis, a human kidney broker was also arrested. The broker was arranging for Americans to buy kidneys for $160,000 a pop.
Exploiting Poor Donors
You may have noticed there’s a huge discrepancy between what Mr. Schofield paid for his kidney (£40,000) and what donors earn for their organ (£1,000). Needless to say, this reeks of exploitation. The donor who is putting his life on the line to give up a kidney earns just 2.5% of the kidney’s selling price.
Global Organ Black Market Meets Two Pressing Needs
Despite the exploitation of donors and the dangers recipients face, the simple truth is the global organ black market is alive and well. And it’s constantly growing because it meets the needs of both people it serves.
- Donors are very poor, and despite the small percentage they earn, this is still typically the equivalent of several years’ pay for them.
- Recipients face death if they don’t get a kidney transplant fast. Buying a kidney on the black market could save and extend their lives.
Not all markets are in the private sector
In China, unlike in other countries where organ deals are purely private sector black markets, the government plays a gruesome role. In a 2001 Village Voice article, an America doctor spoke about the many Chinese American patients he sees who have received organs from executed Chinese prisoners. Many of these prisoners are executed for nonviolent offenses and have questionable due process rights. Since then, the situation has apparently not gotten any better — according to a 2006 Daily Mail article, 95% of organs transplanted in China come from executed prisoners, and British citizens often buy them for around $100,000.
Organ selling law
In the United States the The National Organ Transplant Act of 1984, co sponsored by Al Gore, outlawed the sale of human organs. However, there are some gray areas. For example, in the case of non-living donors, organ procurement agencies often cover the funeral expenses of donors, which some say is equivalent to bribing the family. In the case of living donors, often donors are paid for their “expenses” incidental to donation. In either case, there is temptation and opportunity to bend the law.
Not Enough Donors
Regardless of what you think about the ethics of buying and selling kidneys and other organs, the simple truth is there just aren’t enough donors to go around. Every year, thousands continue to wait for a new kidney because there aren’t many volunteers willing to part with their kidney. Several options have been proposed for years, ranging from tax credits to automatic opt in policies, but none has worked.
What do you think? Should people be allowed to sell their kidneys?
39 comments
Dustin
Very interested in saving a life and putting a little cash in my bank. Healthy 31 yr old male. Never get sick. Single father. Would really benefit both parties. Contact me 740-851-1340
blv.me
I don't even understand how I finished up here, however I thought
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you're going to a famous blogger if you happen to aren't already.
Cheers!
nick
I am a student researching on the subject. Of people who sell and buy kidneys. I was wondering if I can interview one of you? A buyer and a seller please This subject intrigues me. It is solely for academic purposes. No personal information will be given [email protected]
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you have any friend willing to get a loan do tell him to contact me.I mean
Copy my email don't Click Reply to okay. Via... Email:
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Maria Angelica
hola soy de Colombia tengo 30 años y por problemas económicos me veo en la necesidad de vender uno de mis riñones la persona interesada escribir al correo [email protected] o llamar al celular 3205354484
ranoo
hola soy de colombia tengo 30 años soy O+ (dador universal) estoy dispuesta a vender uno de mis riñones la persona interesada escribir al correo [email protected] o llamar al elular 57 3205354484
bubrekkk
I'm 26 years old my blood type B +, I don't drink alcohols, I don't smoke, I'm an athlete, I want to be a Donor with compensation. Thank you. contact me: [email protected]
vaseem
fianancial problems are more doctor sorry
Donor Kidnet
I'm 30 years old my blood type O+, I don't drink alcohols, I don't smoke, Im in good health, I want to be a Donor with compensation. Thank you. contact me: [email protected]
Brandon
31y/o healthy male in need of money for college. any serious inquiries may contact me via email @ [email protected]. ONLY IF SERIOUS WITH SERIOUS OFFER !!!!
Antman81973
I need money. Healthy donor here.
[email protected]
giuseppe
sono italiano, imprenditore, padre di tre bambini. vendo rene a 300.000 euro
giuseppe
[email protected]
Carpal Tunnel Spot
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Heya i'm for the primary time here. I came across this board and I to find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I'm hoping to present something back and help others like you aided me.
Saumitra
I want to sell my kidney to anyone in need...as i am in need of money......please contact me via my email adress....
Gregory Despain
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luis mendoza gutierrez
bno yo quiero vender mi riñon a tan solo 55000mil dolares al cahs y ud cubre mi operaciopn ok mi fono es 950838539 o 083 782505 fijo rural entonces tan solo aese monto de dinero te estoy dejando mi riñon por necesidad economica por momento
buy and sell philippines, free post ads, free classified listing, classified ads
I enjoy, result in I discovered just what I used to be having a look for. You've ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
Simone A. Ballack
I´m a 43 year old woman Brazilian living in Sao Paulo, Brazil blood type B+ looking for a potencial buyer .Hospital Expenses and recorerying will be paid for the one who will receive.Negotiation is available home phone number 011-55-1138039808 or cell phone 011-55-11-76444270.I can speak English,Spanish, Portuguese some Arabic and French.THIS IS NOT A JOKE OR SCAM
sinan
hello
I sinan
0 Rh + blood group
32 years old healthy male
Böbreğimi sell $ 200,000
turkey organ transplantation is achieved
Mail those who want to reach
I can not wire more than my English is not
[email protected]
mukesh
same to ..................................
Sean
Got one to give to someone
Antony
Every kidney patient can be helped if he joins our Kidney Transplant Assistance group on Facebook.
boomers
Kidney :-) u know u want it
my name is bernard v. i’am looking to sell a kidney a.s.a.p.
please contact me at [email removed],com needing to sell a kidney a.s.a.p for 50k usd
tien duc
I WANT SELL ME KIDNEY. [phone number removed] VIETNAM.Email; [email removed]. IWANT 20,000USD.
harold
good morning I want to sell one of my kidneys the price is negotiable if anyone is interested my blood type is B RH + i'm from Peru I will give all the necessary facilities my email is [removed]
thanks
Ahmad
Hi, how are u , i am 29 years of age . i want to sell my kidney.
A+ blood, never smoke , never drink.
just serious buyers.
[contact info removed]
Vladimir
I want to cell my kidney and I hope you can help me with that. I am 32 years old . Good health, non-smoker , never tryed any drugs. Group of blood B + Citizenship of Estonia ( no visa required to USA or any EU country) . Confidentiality guarantee. Pease call me at any time [phone removed] or write me to email [removed] Probably that can save someones life and my family Get ready to pay for intermediary 15000euro
Salon
Kidney for sale! I am Serious and i don't need a broker.
ASAP! Thank You.
do duc
I WANT KIDNEY . [phone number removed].
Salon
I am ready to sell.
ahmad
Hi, how are u , i am male 29, sound health , never smoke , never drink
want to sell my kidney
A+ blood
interested pls call [phone number removed]
thanks
carlo
sono disposto ha dare il rene,contattatemi.
ita 0+ sano 37 anni
nebert
hi am more than ready to sell my kidney to any possible buyer at a resonable price ,please contact me trough my mail [email address removed]
mouna
Je met en vente l'un de mes rein a un prix raisonable, je suis une tres bonne sante j'ai 28 ans, si vous etes interesser contact moi par telephon ou par mail
+21235151440
[email protected]
mouna
Je met en vente l'un de mes rein a un prix raisonable, je suis une tres bonne sante j'ai 28 ans, mon type c'est A----------.
si vous etes interesser contact moi par telephon ou par mail
+21235151440
[email protected]