Investigation Into Suspected Organ Trading

27 Jun 2008

1 The Ministry of Health, with the help of the Police, has been conducting an investigation into suspected organ trading in contravention of the Human Organ Transplant Act.

2 Arising from this investigation, two Indonesian men were arrested and charged with organ trading and making false declarations to the hospital Transplant Ethics Committee (“TEC”). One of the men pleaded guilty to one charge of organ trading, one charge of abetting organ trading, and one charge of making a false statutory declaration. The other pleaded guilty to one charge of organ trading and one charge of making a false statutory declaration. Both were convicted by a Subordinate Court this afternoon and are due to be sentenced next week.

3 A number of Singaporeans are currently assisting with the investigation.

4 Under Section 14 of the Human Organ Transplant Act, it is a criminal offence for any person to enter into a contract or arrangement under which a person agrees, for valuable consideration, to the sale or supply of any organ or blood. The penalties for such an offence are an imprisonment term of up to 12 months, or a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

5 Organ trading often involves the exploitation of the poor and socially disadvantaged donors who are unable to make an informed choice and suffer potential medical risks. It is therefore largely prohibited around the world. 

6 The Ministry takes a serious view of such illegal acts, and will take firm and swift action against any offenders.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

27 June 2008