Transplant Surgeon in Britain Urges Legalizing Sale of Human Organs

A leading transplant surgeon in Britain has triggered a new controversy by publicly calling for legalizing and regulating the sale of human organs.

Professor Nadey Hakim, head of the transplant unit of St Mary's Hospital in London and president of the Royal Society of Medicine's transplant committee, argued that the growing international black market in organs can no longer be ignored and measures must be taken to deal with it.

A survey of transplant centers in the United Kingdom last year identified 29 patients who had travelled abroad to buy kidneys illegally. In more than half the cases, the kidney subsequently failed and more than one third of the patients died.

"As this trade is going on anyway, why not have a controlled trade where if someone wants to donate a kidney for a particular price, that would be acceptable? If it's done safely the donor will not suffer," he said on BBC Radio.

Dr. Peter Rowe, chairman of the ethics committee of the British Transplantation Society, said he was "horrified" at the proposal put forward by Hakin.

"The majority of opinion is against payment because it leads to exploitation of the weaker members of society," Rowe said. "Those who come forward will be the socially deprived and we can see no way around of preventing this when you create a market in human organs."

Dr. Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics at the British Medical Association, said her group was "totally opposed" to the sale of human organs.

"We think it would change the altruism that governs donation in this country," Nathanson said. "The most economically disadvantaged would want payment for their organs and it would be unjust to put people in that position."

Other Sources: BBC