BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL HEALTH

CULMINATING EXPERIENCE COVER PAGE

NAME: Elena Moroz 

ADVISOR: Rich Feeley

TITLE: Policy Recommendations for the New Egyptian Law on Organ Transplants

ABSTRACT

Background: As Egypt is facing a growing illegal organ trade, new policy measures must be taken to fight this dangerous practice. While Egypt has implemented a new law regarding organ transplanting in hopes of stifling illegal organ harvesting, the new law still prevents organ donations between members of different religious groups and lacks a national organ registry. This policy has allowed for organ trafficking and illegal harvesting to continue, both in Cairo and more recently in the Sinai Peninsula.. This analysis attempts to examine factors contributing to the illegal organ trade in Egypt and offer policy recommendations to help fight illegal organ harvesting and promote legal organ transplants.

METHODS

This policy brief compares the old and new Egyptian legislation concerning organ transplants and reviews the limited evidence on the prevalence of illegal organ trafficking in Egypt. Religious and cultural beliefs and practices are discussed in order to illuminate the roots of organ trafficking. Recommendations in this policy brief are based on analysis of the new law and draw from previously successfully implemented policies on organ transplants in other parts of the world, as well as suggestions of experts and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

FINDINGS

The Egyptian government must amend the new law on organ transplants to include donations between members of different faiths, implement a national organ registry with an opt-out default option and allow for donor compensation, as well as support the new law with a campaign to decrease stigma against organ donations. NGOs and the UN must support the government in implementing these changes. Furthermore the government must prioritize the enforcement of the law on organ transplants. Cultural and religious practices must be addressed in order to fight stigma on organ donations and increase the number of legal donors. 

 Download full thesis paper here.