First of all, congratulations to David Jastrab, our new Secretary-General for BarMUN II!
Join us on Wednesday, November 12, at 7PM in CAS 326 to discuss human organ trafficking, a topic that will be discussed at UPMUNC XLII in the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
“Increasing demand for donated organs, uncontrolled trafficking and the challenges of transplantation between closely-related species have prompted a serious re-evaluation of international guidelines…” – World Health Organization
Background of the Issue
Human health has become an increasingly important subject both nationally and globally. While issues such as obesity, cancer and other health-related incidents are highly-publicized, organ transplantation is becoming increasingly significant. In the US alone, there are over 100,000 organ transplant cases yet to be completed. The US rate for organ transplant is about 20,000 per year, leaving over 80,000 cases unresolved.
While organ trade is legal in some parts of the world, the illegal trade is becoming an ever-pressing issue. This committee defines illegal organ trade as the black market sale of organs for transplant. This definition does not encompass countries in which organ trade is deemed legal, nor does it include bodies or organs donated and used purely for scientific purposes.
At its current rate, the organ trade provides desperate recipients with a faster, although potentially much more dangerous, method for survival. As the waitlists for transplants grow and the available organs for transplant fail to meet increasing demand, the international community faces increased reliance on this illegal and unsafe system. While it is important to account for the recipients who use the trade to get organs for survival, donors and doctors are also integral parts. Selling organs on the black market can be profitable for donors, although the consequent social and physical effects can be devastating.
Bloc Positions
Western Nations
Most members of the European Union have strong policies against the illegal trade and transplantation of organs. Countries without such policies include Bulgaria, Ireland, Lithuania and Malta. The US has laws in place prohibiting the sale of organs and one state, Wisconsin, provides tax breaks for living donors. The Organ Donation and Recovery Improvement Act allows the federal government to reimburse living donors and hopes to increase the donation rate in the country.
Former Communist Nations
Many EU members have laws banning the trade. Moldova leads as one of the top three nations harboring the trade. The government has attempted to institute legislation to curb the trade but success has been limited. Currently, organ farms are a commonality across the country and the trade is increasing to extreme rates.
Africa
Illegal trade and trafficking are a growing problem in the region. Egypt and South Africa are main hubs of the trade. Although some laws are in place to prevent the trade, the high levels of poverty and inequality force people to go against these laws and participate in the trade.
Middle East
Many people rely on illegal organ trade because of faulty government systems and long waiting times. There are high rates of medical tourism from wealthy Middle Easterners to South Asia to acquire organs.
Latin America
Brazil, a current source of trade, has banned the trade and set high fines and jail times of 3-8 years. To combat the high waitlists worldwide, Brazil is attempting to increase their supply by mandating that each adult be a donor except under special conditions.
Asia
As the current source of much of the illegal trade, government policies differ greatly between the countries. Japan and other advanced industrialized nations have strong policies against the trade, but they are not necessarily highly effective. China is a major source of contention because the government sells the organs of executed prisoners if their bodies are not immediately claimed. Southeast Asia is a key hub for the trade, due to poverty. India used to allow the trade but has instituted laws to prohibit it. Medical tourism is a major problem in this area, as wealthy foreigners come to acquire organs.
