Written question asked by John MacDougall (Labour) on Thursday, 10 July 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 July 2008. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 July 2008 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Organs: Donors

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the black market in human organs is stopped; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: In the United Kingdom, it is unlawful under the Human Tissue Act 2004 and the Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006 to buy and sell organs for transplantation, or to attempt to buy and sell organs for transplantation.The Human Tissue Authority also administers the approval system for all live organ donations across the UK, and includes a number of safeguards in their approval system to ensure that individuals are not being coerced, or receiving commercial gain.

Secondary information