In transplant commercialism, there is an exchange of money or some other form of significant material benefit between the recipient and the donor, either directly or, more frequently, through a middleman or broker who collects a fee for "services." The donor (really a "kidney seller") also receives money, usually much less than what the broker collects.

People willing to sell kidneys are usually poor and desperate. They are often victims themselves. Studies have shown that most kidney sellers come from the downtrodden, vulnerable sections of society. They are often residents of less well-developed countries who donate to wealthy or relatively wealthy recipients of more developed countries.

Leading medical organisations and health care experts have come together to take action to eliminate the practice.

For more information, log on to www.declarationofistanbul.org