Dutch MP's agree to stronger approach to illegal trade in organs

The Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament, supported a bill to better tackle illegal trade in organs from living or deceased persons, even though they had doubts about some parts. Due to new techniques, the trade in body material is growing worldwide, and with it, the illegal trade. As a result, both recipients and donors are at risk. For example, wealthy people or companies are pressuring or exploiting underprivileged people into donating organs like kidneys. Material offered in illegal trade, such as skin, tissue, and bone, can also be contaminated with viruses.

That puts Dutch patients at risk, especially if they go abroad to possibly receive a needed organ more quickly. In fact, it is already suspicious if patients go abroad for that reason, said Health Minister Fleur Agema (PVV) during the parliamentary debate on Wednesday. There are also rules in other countries, but she said there is a greater chance that shady practices are behind it. According to her, patients who need a transplant are better off getting one with their own doctor. The donor material can come from abroad but through official channels.

The new law updates several laws relating to the donation of body material so that they are better aligned with the changed practice and with European legislation. More insight is also needed into abuses so that something can be done about them. According to Agema, there are active international criminal networks that earn a lot of money from collecting and trading body material. However, the extent is not known. That is why a national reporting point will be set up where data from recipients who have gone abroad will be collected.

Agema clashed with the CDA about the possibilities of making a profit with body material. CDA MP Harmen Krul is strongly against organ donation with a commercial background. He criticized the existence of companies that make money with body parts and entice potential donors with, for example, cheap funerals. Body parts are also dragged all over the world without potential donors knowing about it. There was already a fuss about this years ago but, according to him, nothing was done about it.

The Minister does not want to totally ban profit distributions in this law. According to her, companies must make profits because, otherwise, they won’t develop innovative medicines.