Organ Trafficking

INTRODUCTION

For the many afflicted with organ failure, organ substitution is often the only viable, life-saving option. As medical advances with antirejection drugs have yielded high success rates,' the demand for organ transplants has increased at a rate greatly exceeding supply? This void has spawned an international trade in adult organs to meet the excessive demand for organs and to bypass Western countries' laws prohibiting financial remuneration for organ donations.This documented trade in adult organs and the paucity of organs for medical transplants have fueled fears of a thriving criminal market in children's organs. Beginning in 1987, rumors of such a trade to North America, Europe, and Israel, have raged throughout Latin America.' These rumors remain unsubstantiated." Nonetheless, the fear runs rampant in Latin America. Angry and frightened Guatemalan crowds recently attacked American women, whom they suspected were involved in trafficking in children's organs.' These attacks on American citizens arguably damage the reputation of the United States,'3 decrease international adoptions,' and discourage organ donations.'"...