Buying Organs on the Black Market | The Business of Crime

Summary

This episode of 'The Business of Crime' delves into the global black market for human organs, a grim industry worth an estimated $1 billion annually. It exposes the collusion between criminals and corrupt medical professionals, preying on the poor and desperate. The script recounts real stories of exploitation, such as Sangeeta Kashyap's, and discusses the ethical debates surrounding organ sales. It also touches on the risks for both sellers and buyers, including the physical complications from illegal transplants and the ongoing struggle against this predatory trade.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The global black market for human organs is a thriving, unregulated industry with an estimated annual turnover of $1 billion.
• 🏥 Organ brokers often operate in collusion with corrupt medical professionals, creating a dangerous and exploitative environment for the poor and vulnerable.
• 💸 Desperation drives the organ trade, with the poor often resorting to selling their organs due to financial hardship and lack of other options.
• 🇮🇳 India has been highlighted as a hub for illegal organ trade, with cases like Sangeeta Kashyap's revealing the extent of the problem.
• 🔎 Organ trafficking is difficult to measure due to its clandestine nature, but reports like the UN's 2018 study suggest it's a widespread issue.
• 💉 The demand for organs far exceeds the legal supply, leading to a reliance on black market solutions and unethical practices.
• 🏦 The body trade is not victimless; both sellers and buyers can suffer severe health complications and exploitation.
• 🌍 The organ trade is a global concern, with countries like the US facing shortages and others like China accused of unethical sourcing practices.
• 📈 The illegal organ market includes a range of prices for different organs, with kidneys being the most commonly sold and valued at tens of thousands of dollars.
• 🛡️ Efforts to combat the organ trade must address both the supply and demand sides, protecting the vulnerable and increasing legal organ availability.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The script focuses on the global black market trade in human organs, highlighting how desperate individuals are exploited, the involvement of organized crime, and the dangerous consequences for both sellers and buyers.

How did Sangeeta Kashyap become involved in organ trafficking?

Sangeeta Kashyap was tricked into becoming a potential kidney donor after accepting a job in Delhi. She was told that a medical check was required by her employer, but later overheard herself described as a kidney donor. She took the matter to the police, leading to the uncovering of a large organ trafficking network.

What is the estimated value of the global illegal organ trade?

The illegal organ trade is estimated to turn over approximately $1 billion every year.

What are some of the organs that are commonly traded on the black market, and how much do they cost?

Commonly traded organs include kidneys, hearts, lungs, livers, and corneas. A clean heart or lungs can cost around $130,000, while a kidney or liver costs less than six figures. Corneas are the cheapest, valued at around $30,000.

How prevalent is illegal organ trade worldwide, particularly with kidney transplants?

The WHO estimates that around 10,000 kidneys are sold annually on the global black market, and illegal organ transplants may account for 5 to 10 percent of worldwide transplants.

How does human trafficking relate to the organ trade?

Many participants in the illegal organ trade are victims of human trafficking. They are often tricked into giving up their organs for little or no pay. Exploitation and forced removals, such as the 24 people rescued by Pakistani police in 2016, are not uncommon.

How is social media, such as Facebook, involved in organ trafficking?

Social media platforms like Facebook are frequently used as marketplaces for illegal organ transactions. Some traffickers set up fake websites resembling those of legitimate hospitals to deceive potential sellers.

What risks do buyers face when purchasing organs on the black market?

Buyers often face complications such as infections, poor organ matching, and health problems due to unsafe transplants and lack of proper screening. This results in botched surgeries and long-term medical issues.

What arguments do some libertarians make regarding the legality of the body trade?

Some libertarians argue that the body trade should be legal since it is driven by high demand. They claim that even impoverished sellers benefit from receiving money for their organs, suggesting that it is a 'victimless crime.' However, the script strongly refutes this, pointing to exploitation and lack of free will among most sellers.

What steps have been taken to reduce organ trafficking, and why is it difficult to eradicate?

Efforts like the prosecution of traffickers and uncovering networks have been made, but organ trafficking is difficult to eradicate due to the secrecy of the trade, global demand for organs, and the exploitation of vulnerable populations. Even after one network is dismantled, others quickly take their place.