Hard Pressed Brits Selling Kidneys To Pay Off Debts

Tue, 29 Sep 2009

Recession-hit Britons are resorting to extreme measures such as putting their kidneys up for sale to help clear their mounting debts, according to a report by the Sunday Times.

An investigation by the newspaper revealed that at least a dozen adverts have appeared on the web offering kidneys for sale from UK donors.

Among those found to be willing to sell a kidney was a 26 year old mental health nurse who said he needed the cash to service his debts following the collapse of his business.

Undercover reporters also spoke to a 43 year old taxi driver from Lancashire who claimed that he needed the money to pay off his mortgage and credit card debt, and to buy a new kitchen .

Both men, who are offering to part with one kidney for £25,000, said they wanted to ease their financial problems while at the same time helping those currently waiting for a kidney transplant, despite it being illegal to sell organs in the UK under the Human Tissue Act .

Peter Friend, the former president of the British Transplant Society, said the findings have highlighted the need for a debate on the issue of selling organs.

"The West has outlawed it for all sorts of good reasons, but the result is it goes underground. It is really important to have a debate."

Although a person can live a normal life with just one kidney, there are huge risks involved including the risk of infection, which statistically kills one in every 3000 people who undergo a major operation.
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