How I inadvertently launched a global kidney trading exchange

"I am 22 years old, male, married, Indonesia, healthy, want to donate the one of my kidney. My blood group is O+, I'm not drink, not use drugs, and never have any kidney deseases. I want to donate my kidney for the exchange just for US$15,000.00 for my kidney, because I have a financial problem and I must gift lived for my wife and my daughter for they further."

Back in January, I wrote a story for Asia Sentinel about Singapore's decision to legalise the payment of compensation to organ donors - a controversial move that critics argue will allow de facto organ trading.

I didn't think much about the story until last week, when I was alerted to the fact that the comments section had been overtaken by people from all over the world (like our Indonesian friend above) seemingly trying to flog their kidneys for cash.

There's no way of knowing if these people are merely scamsters but their adverts appear genuine, with some showing serious knowledge about the transplant health screening process.

Interestingly, there's quite a wide price differential, suggesting that the current global market for kidneys is extremely inefficient.

While Ageng, our Indonesian seller, wants US$15,000 for his O+ organ and some others want as much as US$25,000, Rajravi, from Hyderabad, India, is happy to sell his for just US$7,000 (or 3.25-3.5 lakh rupees). Interested parties can contact Ageng on kidneyforsell@hotmail.com or +62 838 5838 199 and Rajravi on 09346596588.

Of the 13 offerors, many seem to be based in Asia. Four are from India, two from Indonesia and one from the Philippines. But there is a representative from East Africa, Kenney from Kenya who is healthy and has "never used any drug due to religion", and, perhaps surprisingly, one from Germany.

All of which got me thinking that there must be a lot of money to be made by starting up a proper global organ trading exchange, a concept which has been suggested by some maverick transplant surgeons in the past (see article here).

There's clearly no shortage of willing sellers around the world and there are many ailing businessmen too unhealthy or old to qualify for a transplant through the usual channels that would be willing buyers.

Before the green ink brigade (or their online equivalent, the caps-lock brigade) burst any blood vessels, I should emphasise that I'm not condoning (or criticising) the practice of organ trading.

Just explaining that it could be a very profitable business for someone with the cojones and legal nous to set up a global organ exchange.