Studies completed by the World Health Organization revealed that, “more than one human organ is illegally purchased every hour worldwide” (Hazell). In the United States there are approximately 99,000 on the waiting list for kidneys alone (Archer). Due to the high demand for organs, roughly 4,500 patients will die every year waiting for transplants (Hazell). People are becoming more hesitant to wait for organs on the National Organ List and instead, are turning to the black market. The black market is the illegal trading of goods and services, specifically, officially controlled or scarce commodities. The black market for organs is also referred to as the organ trade.
Globalization has made it easier for the organ trade to flourish. It allows people from all over the world to connect to each other right from their computers. The internet has closed the gap between the destitute farmer in Brazil struggling to put food on the table and the desperately ill American mother waiting on a long list for a kidney transplant. Individuals looking to buy and sell organs can now use online advertisements, internet forums, chat rooms and social media sites to find someone willing to commit to the exchange. Facebook groups have even been created for people to connect with potential organ donors and recipients (Thomas). For my case study, I researched the illegal organ trade and how globalization has made it easier for people to buy and sell their organs.
Globalization has made it easier for the organ trade to flourish. It allows people from all over the world to connect to each other right from their computers. The internet has closed the gap between the destitute farmer in Brazil struggling to put food on the table and the desperately ill American mother waiting on a long list for a kidney transplant. Individuals looking to buy and sell organs can now use online advertisements, internet forums, chat rooms and social media sites to find someone willing to commit to the exchange. Facebook groups have even been created for people to connect with potential organ donors and recipients (Thomas). For my case study, I researched the illegal organ trade and how globalization has made it easier for people to buy and sell their organs.