NCJ Number
189993
Journal
Crime and Justice International Volume: 17 Issue: 52 Dated: May 2001 Pages: 5-6,22-24,25
Date Published
May 2001
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article provided an international look into the criminal enterprise of body brokers in organ trafficking.
Abstract
With the global demand for human organs surpassing organ donation, a market economy was created through which organized crime and other criminal elements exploited the demand. A remarkably high demand for body parts has produced predatory competition among tissue and transplant banks. With the scarcity of consensual organ donors worldwide, a network of illicit traders, called body brokers or middlemen emerged. The sale of human tissue for transplantation or medical experiments is illegal throughout Europe and North America, as well as many other countries. The article discussed organ trade activity around the world including: the Americas; the Middle East; Europe; and Asia. World allegations of organ black markets are widespread and range from corruption in waiting list distribution, body part theft from morgues, compensated gift giving, organ sales, the use of organs from executed prisoners and even prisoners granted release time for organ donation. One intermediary or a vast international network could be involved. References