Selling, Buying and Trafficking of Human Organs in Third-World Countries: Ethico-Religious Appraisal

Abstract

This paper aims to appraise the implications of human organ commercialization and trafficking for third-world countries with special reference to Nigeria from the ethical and religious perspectives of utilitarianism, Kantianism, virtue ethics, moral necessity, imago dei (image of God), Karuna (self-compassion), Dharma (moral and religious obligations), sadaqatul jariyah (continuous charity), and eethaar (giving preference to others). The research utilizes both primary and secondary sources to derive its data. The findings show that selling, buying, and trafficking human organs invariably leads to unethical behaviour and has serious negative health, ethical, and religious implications for human society in general and Nigerian society in particular. It posits that underdeveloped nations should intensify efforts on educational campaigns to raise awareness of the medical, ethical, and religious implications of human organ commercialization and trafficking.