Current Controversy of Organ Trafficking

Organ trafficking in third world countries is a prevalent issue in today's economy. The sale of organs is illegal and yet is a major source of income for not only individuals but governments as well. These operations feed off of the naive, illiterate and impoverished people of third world countries.

One of the major issues is the sale of organs in India's black market. A law was put into effect in 1994 banning the sale of organs in India however this really did not accomplish much. Several underground operations have recently been uncovered. Those running these operations prey on the illiterate and impoverished people of India. Under false pretenses, people come from all over in hopes of gaining a small fortune for their kidney. Sadly once the operation is complete out of the $37,000 promised, the patient sees about $7000 which is then mostly used for medical purposes due to infection from the operation.

A large source of income for the Chinese government comes from abuse of the death penalty. With one of the largest death penalty rates in the world, China harvests organs from executed prisoners and over 4,500 are executed in China each year. There have been several recorded instances where the executions were set up to remove organs in the most efficient way possible. People are taken off the streets daily for the smallest crimes such as theft or even as simple as a traffic misdemeanor and then sentenced to the death penalty. The Chinese government has gained control over the people's lives whether by taking life from one or by giving life to another through a healthy organ.