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Health
Organ donation
Conservative
MEPs have thrown their support behind proposals, voted on in Strasbourg
(October 2003), to address the growing scandal of organ trafficking,
resulting from the shortage of donated organs.
Scientific progress
has made organ transplantation increasingly effective and available
to many more patients.
Commenting on
the issue, John Bowis MEP said:
"5,700
people in the UK are waiting for a transplant and fewer than 3,000
transplants are carried out each year. 400 patients needing organ
transplants have died in the last year. There is growing concern
that the gap between supply and demand of organs has fostered the
birth of a lucrative but abhorrent trade in human organs. Two distinct
aspects of this trade cause me particular concern. Firstly, the
trafficking in human beings with a view to the removal of their
organs. Secondly, the purchase of organs from donors in third countries
by EU patients.
"The shortage
of legally available organs is due in no small part to the lack
of public information and understanding on the issue. Surveys regularly
show that while the vast majority of citizens say they would be
willing to donate their organs after death, only a small minority
have formally expressed their consent via a donor card.
"For several
years I have carried an organ donor card and carry it with me at
all times. I encourage everyone to do the same and to register with
the NHS Donor Campaign."
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