Who can stop the trade in kidneys?
The week's news at a glance.
Pakistan
Editorial
Dawn
Kidney theft is not an urban myth, said the Karachi Dawn in an editorial. Just ask Mohammad Amjad. He is one of a growing number of patients who have had a healthy kidney removed during an operation for a different ailment. Granted, most kidneys transplanted in Pakistan were bought, not stolen—but that’s a problem in itself. It is the poorest of the poor, deeply in debt to their employers, who are willing to part with a kidney for as little as $1,000. The money is quickly gone, and the debt returns as fast. “Many, especially those with a weak constitution, have lived to regret their decision.” A few have died. Lawmakers have tried several times to bring legislation that would ban the sale of organs. But bill after bill dies in committee because of the “influence of unscrupulous individuals and doctors” who have grown rich from this “nefarious trade.” The longer these doctors go unpunished, the more likely they are to join those who simply help themselves to a kidney whenever they scrub up.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Groypers: the alt-right group pulled into the foreground
The Explainer The network is led by alt-right activist Nick Fuentes
-
10 concert tours to see this upcoming fall
The Week Recommends Concert tour season isn't over. Check out these headliners.
-
How to put student loan payments on pause
The Explainer If you are starting to worry about missing payments, deferment and forbearance can help