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Living Donation Discussion and News => Living Donation in the News => Topic started by: Clark on June 06, 2013, 12:49:31 PM

Title: 'Organ transplantation covers only 10 percent of global need'
Post by: Clark on June 06, 2013, 12:49:31 PM
http://www.dw.de/organ-transplantation-covers-only-10-percent-of-global-need/a-16851246

'Organ transplantation covers only 10 percent of global need'

WHO specialist Dr. Luc Noel tells DW in an interview that a money-driven system of organ donation benefits the rich at the expense of the poor. He calls for a strictly regulated system focused on patient need.

Deutsche Welle: Dr. Noel, June 1st is World Organ Donor Day. Doctors around the world are calling on people to declare themselves ready to become organ donors. But many people hesitate with the decision, not least because abuse and the illegal trade in organs continue unabated. The situation is particularly dramatic in developing countries where there are large income gaps between the rich and poor. What can be done to prevent abuse?

...

...the unscrupulous individuals making profits are taking advantage of a gap between the available supply in organs for transplantation and the demand of patients. The WHO estimation is that currently organ transplantation covers only 10 percent of the global need - it's a high estimation.

 ...

How does the illegal trade in organs develop?

Since 2006-07, it has been essentially based in countries with no legislation. These countries have adopted legislation. The implementation is not very good. And it has moved to become totally underground. WHO is of course not the police, we only have indirect and vague ideas. But the estimation that overall organ trafficking, i.e., involving payment for organs or any transplantation occuring outside of an established government-controlled system, is 10 percent maybe.