Behind the Veil of Transplant Tourism: A Cross-Jurisdictional Study of the Effects of Medico-Legal Frameworks and Technological Advancements on the Illicit Trade in Human Organs

• In Event: WG Organized Crime and Criminal Networks Panel 3. Preventing and policing organized crime

Abstract

The illicit trade in human organs for the purpose of transplantation is a reality, which poses evident risks to both personal well-being and public health. The crime of trafficking in human beings for the purpose of organ removal (THBOR) is rarely formally identified and highly under-researched. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive comparative medico-legal analysis of the implementation of current legal frameworks regulating transplant tourism and organ trade in Sweden and the US. By examining these frameworks, this research will seek to uncover insights into their effectiveness, identify gaps, and understand their role in facilitating or obstructing THB-OR. Additionally, the research aims to explore how the legal landscape responds to emerging technological advancements, including the utilization of the dark web, and how technology influences THBOR.

Author

• Polina Smiragina-Ingelström, DIS and Lund University