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Black market in organs uncovered | Black market in organs uncovered |
(about 7 hours later) | |
By Paula MacKinnon BBC Scotland | By Paula MacKinnon BBC Scotland |
BBC Scotland journalist Paula MacKinnon uncovers a market for human organs in her attempt to donate one of her healthy kidneys to a stranger in a bid to save a life. | BBC Scotland journalist Paula MacKinnon uncovers a market for human organs in her attempt to donate one of her healthy kidneys to a stranger in a bid to save a life. |
You may think I'm mad but I'm not - I actually think what I'm doing is very simple. | You may think I'm mad but I'm not - I actually think what I'm doing is very simple. |
Paula MacKinnon had originally planned to donate a kidney to her mother | |
I am donating one of my kidneys to a stranger. | |
I don't need two. | I don't need two. |
I have researched it well and am convinced that I will not suffer health-wise. | I have researched it well and am convinced that I will not suffer health-wise. |
I came to this decision after my mother had kidney failure - I started the process of donating to her but we were not compatible. | I came to this decision after my mother had kidney failure - I started the process of donating to her but we were not compatible. |
She has other health problems and doesn't want a transplant now anyway. | She has other health problems and doesn't want a transplant now anyway. |
The tests started 10 months ago - a lot of them - blood tests, scans and being injected with dye, amongst many other things. | The tests started 10 months ago - a lot of them - blood tests, scans and being injected with dye, amongst many other things. |
It's not been easy to be honest and sometimes I have asked myself what am I doing, but it all boils down to one thing. | It's not been easy to be honest and sometimes I have asked myself what am I doing, but it all boils down to one thing. |
My donation could change someone's life and it's really minimal in terms of effort from me. | My donation could change someone's life and it's really minimal in terms of effort from me. |
I am in the final stages - it's up to the Human Tissue Authority to decide now and I still have to have an MR scan - basically to see how my kidney is 'plumbed' for retrieval by the surgeons.Advertisement | |
Secret filming exposes the organ black market | |
I am a journalist and decided to make a programme about it because it would get people talking about organ donation - it's a subject which is very close to my heart now because it affects me so directly. | |
In my research I discovered some frankly shocking things. | In my research I discovered some frankly shocking things. |
There is a black market in kidneys here in the UK. | There is a black market in kidneys here in the UK. |
I secretly filmed people trying to sell me their kidneys, exploiting the vulnerability of someone who is desperate to help a family member. | I secretly filmed people trying to sell me their kidneys, exploiting the vulnerability of someone who is desperate to help a family member. |
They are also trying to exploit the very law that has changed to allow me to make a 'stranger donation'. | They are also trying to exploit the very law that has changed to allow me to make a 'stranger donation'. |
They wanted to fool the authorities - the first woman I met started with an asking price of £250,000, another man wanted the 'price of a Mercedes' - £60,000. | They wanted to fool the authorities - the first woman I met started with an asking price of £250,000, another man wanted the 'price of a Mercedes' - £60,000. |
I met them in cafes across the UK and their actions were shocking. | I met them in cafes across the UK and their actions were shocking. |
They know they are doing something illegal and just don't seem to care. | They know they are doing something illegal and just don't seem to care. |
I met with a man who was a 'transplant tourist', who paid £7,000 in Pakistan to buy a kidney. | I met with a man who was a 'transplant tourist', who paid £7,000 in Pakistan to buy a kidney. |
I understand his desperation but I then travelled to India and met with the very people who are selling their kidneys. | I understand his desperation but I then travelled to India and met with the very people who are selling their kidneys. |
Barbara Ryder donated her kidney to Andy LoudonThey have been butchered - their scars are huge and they have long-term health problems. | Barbara Ryder donated her kidney to Andy LoudonThey have been butchered - their scars are huge and they have long-term health problems. |
It did make me doubt my actions for a moment, but I realise that what I am doing is done with great care to me and does not involve money. | It did make me doubt my actions for a moment, but I realise that what I am doing is done with great care to me and does not involve money. |
I trust the doctors and NHS staff - they would not do anything to harm me. | I trust the doctors and NHS staff - they would not do anything to harm me. |
A lot of my friends and family are not keen about my plans - I guess they just care for my health - but I wouldn't do it if I thought it would suffer. | A lot of my friends and family are not keen about my plans - I guess they just care for my health - but I wouldn't do it if I thought it would suffer. |
I met Barbara Ryder - she has done the same thing that I'm trying to do - it was great to meet her because we sing from the same hymn sheet. | I met Barbara Ryder - she has done the same thing that I'm trying to do - it was great to meet her because we sing from the same hymn sheet. |
She has no health problems and wants more people to do this. | She has no health problems and wants more people to do this. |
Who knows - maybe one day it won't be so unusual. I hope so. | Who knows - maybe one day it won't be so unusual. I hope so. |
BBC Scotland Investigates - Buying Hope: Selling Illegal Organs is being broadcast on BBC One on Wednesday 9 July, at 2245 BST. | BBC Scotland Investigates - Buying Hope: Selling Illegal Organs is being broadcast on BBC One on Wednesday 9 July, at 2245 BST. |
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