More Stuff On Organ Trade

In Iran, selling Organs for profit is legal. What is most interesting is that Iran has no wait list for kidney transplants. Two organizations regulate the trade. The average kidney sale is about $5000-$6000, which is less than most prices I have seen listed on various sites as the average price for the black market. Until 1994, India had legalized the organ trade. According to Wikipedia, though, one of the contributing factors to it being banned was that people were getting transplants without knowing it. I assume this means that while operating, doctors would take out a kidney and sell it for profit. Another contributing factor to the banning of the organ trade was that people were not being paid the prices settled for beforehand. I don't think that this would be much of a problem if America were to legalize the organ trade, but in countries that do not regulate economic exchanges as well, it clearly could be a problem.

Researching Organ Trade

There are not two arguments on the organ trade. There are quite a few on both sides of the issue. Obviously, it is an ethical issue for many. Why should people sell an organ when they could donate it and save the person's life? On the other hand, there is quite a bit of money that can be made from selling organs - in my research I've seen prices in the hundred thousands, others find these numbers appalling. Some think that legalizing the organ trade will lead to safer transplants. The organ trade is especially prevalent in 3rd world countries. After the tsunami, many Indians put there organs on the black market after they were left desperate by the natural disaster. In a way, these people are being forced to donate organs.