Health

Iraq Now a Source for Purchased Organs

by Barbara McPherson | July 20, 2009 at 04:02 pm

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The oil rich country of Iraq has become a source for purchased organs due to the abject poverty of many of the citizens. Some have turned in desperation to selling a kidney. It is legal to donate organs in Iraq but illegal to sell them. Deals are arranged by shadowy brokers who put the buyers and sellers in touch. They are reputed to take the lion's share of the payments.

Karim Hussein made the long journey from Amara, a province in the south of Iraq, to Baghdad because he was desperate for the $3,000 he would get from the sale of a kidney there.

"I have taken a loan to build my house," he told Al Jazeera.
"I thought I would be able to get work in order to be able to pay my debts back, but the daily amount I am getting is not enough to feed my family, I have eight children."

People can function well with only one kidney. The donor(seller) runs risks from the major surgery and is more vulnerable if his remaining kidney becomes damaged.
Concern has been expressed that Iraq may become a Middle Eastern centre for the illegal trade in human organs.