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Transplant Tourism

Thinking of buying a kidney? You may want to think again.

Reasons not to buy a kidney

  • Buying a kidney is illegal in most countries. 
  • Reports on people who purchased kidneys overseas show very high rates of infection and death.
  • People who sell their kidneys are often coerced and exploited, and receive only a fraction of the dollars spent by the person buying the kidney.

Learn more about the risks and legal implications of organ trafficking and transplant tourism:

The Declaration of Istanbul

In 2008, a group of leading medical experts from around the world met in Istanbul, Turkey to develop strategies to prevent organ trafficking and transplant tourism. They created a policy document called the Declaration of Istanbul.

The Declaration of Istanbul Costodian Group (DICG) was formed to promote the principles of this document. The DICG is sponsored by both The Transplantation Society (TTS) and the International Society of Nephrology (ISN). To date, more than 80 international professional societies and governmental agencies have endorsed the Declaration of Istanbul.

Declaration of Istanbul on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism (brochure) 

SOURCE: Transplant Tourism ( )
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