IN HUMANS are two bean-shaped- about 4 inches long and about 2 1/2 inches wide organs called kidneys which are located near the vertebral column at the small of the back. The main function of the kidneys are to purify the blood by separating urea, mineral salts, toxins and other waste products from it. Nature has so provided every human being a set of 2 kidneys so that blood purification runs on smoothly; one kidney assisting and complementing one another. What if one of the kidneys is deceased, malfunctioned or sold? Naturally the full burden of the blood purification process falls on the remaining kidney, who will now function double time without rest or backup. How long can one overburdened kidney last the wear and tear of today's daily human activities? Indeed it is a fact that a person with a single kidney left can still sustain life. But- can he live up to the rigors of his work being a porter or a pier hand?

Filipinos- like other human species- value life so much that for them the attainment of a perfect health isn't a remote possibility. However- this is easier said than done because problems most especially poverty bars the way. It is no wonder why some blood brothers are forced to sell their organs just to make both ends meet. It is no surprise to read ads in the papers and even in the internet kidneys being offered for sale.

For me selling kidney is a degrading business. When a person sells a kidney, his worth and personality are reduced to that of an animal. He's looked down upon as indolent, inutile, parasite and incapable of supporting a family.

Organ shortage fuels illicit trade in human parts. This is why poor Filipino families with little education are easily enticed to patronize black-market kidney trade. The yearly waiting-list of patients who are in dire need of healthy kidneys in the National Kidney and Transplant Institute is proof that there is shortage and a big demand for kidneys.

The use or donation of a kidney to an ailing Filipino, per se, isn't prohibited. His wife or any relative can donate one to save his life. But- what is not permitted is selling kidneys. You violate the law if you sell your kidney to anybody local or foreign nationals.

This prohibition is incorporated in an administrative order issued by the Philippine government to ban the sale of human organs to foreigners. In May last year, the health department issued another order prohibiting foreign nationals from getting kidneys from non-related living donors. On the report of increasing fake marriages which was resorted to by foreigners just to have their spouses donate their kidneys to them- the health department just last April issued a more stricter order, stressing that "foreign patients are not allowed to access organs from Filipino spouses or bring in living non-related donors".

Undersecretary Alex Padilla stressed to say that these measures were put in place to safeguard the health of Filipinos as well as to protect them from possible exploitation. It is worth knowing that since the imposition of the preceding health measures- the health department has noted a 50% decline in the forbidden sale of human organs in our country.

This year the University of the Philippines conducted a study to determine the extent of this illegal sale of human organs. It discovered some 3,000 men and women who have sold their kidneys. These hapless victims can easily be found in slums around Metro Manila and its environs. A place called BASECO has currently earned the unique distinction of being tag a haven for kidney vendors. Despite the ban, Baseco kidney vendors are unfazed.

Sad to say- illegal sale of organs here in our country remains a thriving business. It is fueled by hungry mouths and empty stomachs. It is patronized by thousands of local and foreign nationals who are suffering from kidney diseases but are willing to pay the price in their desire to get kidney transplant.

Listen to Rey, 31, a kidney-seller-turned broker: "Doctors collude with patients and donors to make it appear they are relatives, they don't bother to look for documents as proof. If it's a foreigner, they just say they are cousins, 3rd or 4th degree cousins".

Rey, a former porter, sold his kidney in 2002 to a Canadian married to a Filipino. He was paid P115,000. He recalled further that all the kidney donors he accompanied to the hospitals has only one reason for  'donating'  their kidneys - cash.

The key to stop this malady is the doctor. The DOH should issue a directive that all necessary papers relative to honor-patient kinship be genuinely established by competent authorities before a kidney transplant is made to stop organ selling. Doctors to do kidney transplant must be chosen by electronic raffle to prevent fraud and collusion. The foregoing suggested solution coupled with a well-financed program to provide job opportunities for slum dwellers will go a long way to curb if not eradicate blackmarketing of organs. By that time the amount ranging from 50 to 150 thousand pesos will no longer attract fellow countrymen to sell their precious kidneys. (Internet)