A Mixed Method-Approach to Exploring Human Organ Trafficking and Its Policy Implications

Author

Jeslyn Huynh

Document Type

Dissertation

Date of Award

8-2022

School/College

Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs (SOPA)

Degree Name

Ph.D. in Administration of Justice

Committee Chairperson

Ihekwoaba D Onwudiwe

Committee Member 1

Jasmine Drake

Committee Member 2

Robert Mupier

Committee Member 3

Emmanuel Nwagwu

Keywords

human organ trafficking, illegal organ transplantation, organ tourism, organ transplant commercialism, organ transplant tourism

Abstract

Human organ trafficking, which involves the exploitation, coercion, illegally purchasing or selling of organs, has become a primary international concern. According to the United Nations, legally available organs for transplants only accommodate roughly 10% of the global industry demand. The shortage in organ supply means a new patient is added to the waiting list every 10 minutes worldwide even as 20 patients die every day in the United States alone waiting for an available organ. Previous researchers have found empirical support for significant relationships between human organ trafficking and its adverse globalized effects. Using primary and secondary data, the main aim of this dissertation is to shed light on the crime of human organ trafficking and its policy implications. The multi-disciplinary approach based on social conflict, rational choice, routine activities, structural-functional, and strain theories are applicable in various contexts when understanding human organ trafficking and human rights. The implications for social change include (a) legal actions to stop the thriving global organ trade, (b) a transparent regulatory oversight system that ensures donor and recipient safety and enforces the prohibitions of unethical medical transplant procedures, (c) and recommendations for governmental agencies to focus on the prevention of organ trafficking, prosecution of organ traffickers, and protection for human organ trafficking victims.

Copyright

Copyright © for this work is retained by the author. Any documents and information presented are protected by copyright under US Copyright laws and are the property of the author. All Rights Reserved. For permission to use this content please contact the author or the Graduate School at Texas Southern University (graduate.school@tsu.edu).

Recommended Citation

Huynh, Jeslyn, "A Mixed Method-Approach to Exploring Human Organ Trafficking and Its Policy Implications" (2022). Dissertations (2016-Present). 2.
https://digitalscholarship.tsu.edu/dissertations/2