RESEARCH ARTICLE

 

Combat organ trafficking - reward the donor or regulate sales¹

 

Bekamp onwettige orgaanhandel - beloon die skenker of wettig 'n gereguleerde orgaanmark

 

 

M. Slabbert

Department of Jurisprudence, University of South Africa, Pretoria. E-mail: slabbm@unisa.ac.za

 

 

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ABSTRACT

There is an acute shortage of transplantable human organs worldwide. The current systems of organ procurement cannot supply in the demand. A new approach is imperative. While countries struggle to find ways of motivating more people to become organ donors, the international illegal black market is thriving. A possible solution to the problem in South Africa might be to change current legislation by confirming human organ trafficking a specific crime as is the case in the United Kingdom. However, more available organs for transplantation in the current recognised system are also essential. To achieve this, it is proposed that donors should be rewarded more effectively, or a regulated market in human organs should be allowed.

Key concepts: black markets in organs; exploitation of the poor; organ donations; organ procurement; organ shortages

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OPSOMMING

Daar is wêreldwyd 'n geweldige tekort aan oorplantbare mens-like organe. Die wyse waarop organe tans verkry word, kan nie in die aanvraag voorsien nie. 'n Nuwe benadering het nood-saaklik geword. Terwyl organisasies in verskeie lande spook om mense te motiveer om vrywillig organe te skenk, floreer die internasionale swartmark in orgaanhandel. In Suid-Afrika is een moontlike oplossing om huidige wetgewing te verander deur orgaanhandel 'n spesifieke misdaad te maak, soos in die Verenigde Koningryk. Meer organe vir oorplanting is egter in die erkende stelsel noodsaaklik. Om dit te bereik, word beter ver-goeding aan skenkers aanbeveel, asook die toelating van 'n gereguleerde orgaanmark.

Kernbegrippe: eksploitasie van armes; orgaanoorplantings; orgaanverhandeling/orgaanverkope; orgaanverkryging; swartmark

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Full text available only in PDF format.

 

 

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SOUTH AFRICA. 1983. Human Tissue Act 65 of 1983.         [ Links ]

SOUTH AFRICA. 1996. Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.         [ Links ]

SOUTH AFRICA. 1998. Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998.         [ Links ]

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SOUTH AFRICA. 2004. Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004.         [ Links ]

INDIA. 1994. Transplantation of Human Organs Act 42 of 1994 (India).         [ Links ]

UNITED KINGDOM. 2004. Human Tissue Act 2004 (c.30) (UK).         [ Links ]

List of cases

Soobramoney v Minister of Health KwaZulu-Natal 1997 (12) BCLR 1696 (CC) S v Makwanyane 1995(3) SA 391 (CC)        [ Links ]

 

 

1 Recognition is given to C Watson whose unpublished L.L.M. thesis "The organised crime of organ trafficking" (2006, University of the Free State), inspired me to write this article. I am also indebted to emeritus Prof. A.P.J. Roux (philosophy) for his assistance; I of course remain responsible for any flaws.