People are selling their kidneys to buy motorbikes and phones

Kidney selling has become a ‘global phenomenon’, and people are parting with theirs to buy motorbikes, phones and TVs, according to a new study.

In Europe however, organ trafficking and medical tourism is the main driver.

Demand for kidneys outstrips supply, resulting in them becoming one of the most ‘saleable’ body parts.

And while altruistic organ donation is common, whether to a family member or even a complete stranger, researchers say the illegal trade in kidneys often takes advantage of vulnerable people, and comes with medical, psychological, social and legal risks.

The team, led by Bijaya Shrestha from the Center for Research on Education, Health and Social Science in Nepal, set out to understand why people sell their organs.

They found that while poverty was the main reason given, illiteracy was also a significant factor. Those without a financial safety net were often forced to sell one of their kidneys to clear debt.

In other cases, the money used from selling an organ helped to buy land, while family obligations such as dowries were often cited as a reason. In Brazil and South Africa, family responsibility was the primary driver.

However, the team also noted that in Nepal, people were selling one of their kidneys to buy luxury goods, such as motorbikes, mobile phones and televisions.

Writing in the journal PLOS Global Health, they said: ‘Kidney sellers are often unaware of the consequences of selling kidneys, such as disabilities of various extent including weaknesses, chronic kidney disease, stigma and unforeseen complications.

‘The selling of body parts to exchange with ostentatious goods is perhaps an extreme form of transaction.’

The team also highlighted the crime of kidney trafficking, which can involve exploitation, deceit and coercion to convince people to give up their organs, often steered by a broker. 

Surprisingly, the study revealed that, on occasion, victims of organ trafficking later became brokers themselves.

Organ trafficking was the main reason behind the selling of kidneys in the Netherlands, Israel and Moldova.

The authors also noted a lack of policy and checks in place to regulate kidney transplants.

‘Despite a wide spectrum of reasons to sell kidneys around the globe, there were paucities in efforts toward its mitigation,’ they wrote. ‘Kidney selling is a complex phenomenon and is shaped by myriad factors and their interactions.’

The team also highlighted social inequalities, corruption and insufficient health infrastructure.