The act of selling kidneys has become a widespread phenomenon globally, with people parting with their kidneys to purchase motorbikes, phones and TVs, according to a recent study.
However, in Europe, organ trafficking and medical tourism are the primary motivators.
The demand for kidneys exceeds the supply, making them one of the most sought-after body parts.
While voluntary organ donation is common, whether to family members or strangers, researchers point out that the illegal kidney trade often preys on vulnerable individuals, posing medical, psychological, social, and legal risks.
Bijaya Shrestha from the Center for Research on Education, Health, and Social Science in Nepal led a team that aimed to understand the reasons behind kidney sales.
They discovered that poverty was the primary reason, but illiteracy also played a significant role. Those without financial security were often compelled to sell one kidney to clear debt.
In other cases, the money from selling a kidney was used to purchase land, while family obligations like dowries were frequently cited. In Brazil and South Africa, family responsibility was the main motive.
However, the team also observed that in Nepal, people were selling their kidneys to buy luxury items such as motorcycles, mobile phones, and televisions.
In their article for the PLOS Global Health journal, they stated: 'Kidney sellers are often unaware of the consequences of selling kidneys, such as disabilities of various extent including weaknesses, chronic kidney disease, stigma, and unforeseen complications.
‘The selling of body parts to exchange with ostentatious goods is perhaps an extreme form of transaction.’
The team also brought attention to the crime of kidney trafficking, which can involve exploitation, deceit, and coercion to convince people to give up their organs, often orchestrated by a broker.
Surprisingly, the study revealed that, on occasion, victims of organ trafficking later became brokers themselves.
Organ trafficking was the main reason behind the selling of kidneys in the Netherlands, Israel, and Moldova.
The authors also highlighted a lack of policy and checks to regulate kidney transplants.
‘Despite a wide spectrum of reasons to sell kidneys around the globe, there were paucities in efforts toward its mitigation,’ they wrote. ‘Kidney selling is a complex phenomenon and is shaped by myriad factors and their interactions.’
The team also emphasized social inequalities, corruption, and insufficient health infrastructure.
