Organ trafficking: scope and ethical dilemma

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Transplantation Medicine
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Organ donation in Israel traditionally relied on altruism.
• Emerging utilitarian models involve compensated, unrelated organ donation.
• Despite reforms, organ trafficking intensified while altruistic donations declined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the shift from altruistic to compensated organ donation in Israel.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of current reforms in curbing organ trafficking.
• To propose a regulated model for compensated, non-directed organ donation to combat illegal organ trade.

Main Methods:

• Review of Israeli organ donation policies and trends.
• Analysis of the impact of reforms on cadaveric, living-related, and unrelated donations.
• Development of a proposed model for regulated compensated donation.

Main Results:

• Organ trafficking significantly increased in Israel.
• Both cadaveric and living-related donations decreased.
• Reforms for unrelated directed donors were insufficient to meet demand or reduce trafficking.

Conclusions:

• Current strategies have failed to curb organ trafficking.
• A regulated, compensated, non-directed donation model offers a realistic alternative for patients.
• This model, coupled with strict penalties, could eradicate organ trafficking.