Abstract
The dark history of transplant tourism in Pakistan demonstrates the hazards of unregulated cross-border markets in human organs. Trading on existing national and international social inequities, ‘transplant tourism’ offers dubious benefits for transplant recipients and attractive profits to those facilitating the industry at the expense of the world’s poor. The impact of Pakistan’s 2007 Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissue Ordinance and the sustained efforts of transplant professionals and societal groups led by the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, show that organ trading can be effectively discouraged and equitable programs of organ procurement and transplantation pursued despite multiple challenges. In this paper, the factors that have contributed to Pakistan’s progress towards self-sufficiency in organ transplantation are identified and discussed. The case of Pakistan highlights the need for countries to protect their own organ and tissue providers who may be vulnerable in the global healthcare market. Pakistan provides an excellent example for other countries in the region and throughout the world to consider when regulating their own transplantation programs and considering the pursuit of national self-sufficiency.
Highlights
Introduction ‘Transplant tourism’ may be defined as international travel for commercial organ transplantation, in which patients travel abroad to undergo transplantation involving purchased organs
I draw on the history of transplantation in Pakistan to highlight the factors that contribute to travel for commercial organ transplantation and those that are influential in eradication of the practice
Most countries have been touched by transplant tourism as either destinations or sources of transplant tourists
Summary
Introduction ‘Transplant tourism’ may be defined as international travel for commercial organ transplantation, in which patients travel abroad to undergo transplantation involving purchased organs. I will argue that the example of Pakistan should inspire other countries in the region and throughout the world to renew their efforts to promote more effective and ethical access to organ transplantation through the pursuit of national self-sufficiency.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: PORTAL Journal of Multidisciplinary International Studies
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
