9 on trial in China over teenager's sale of kidney for iPad and iPhone

CNN.com | August 10, 2012 | [read the article]

CNN — Nine people went on trial in southern China over allegations they helped a teenager to sell one of his kidneys so he could buy an iPhone and an iPad, a court in Hunan Province said Friday.

Desperation, Greed and the Global Organ Trade

Spiegal Online| August 3, 2012 | [read the article]

Germany — She was a poor Russian immigrant in Israel, he was a well-off German businessman. The case of Vera and Walter reveals a thriving illegal trade in kidneys and other organs -- and shows how it is fueled by desperation.

In China, criminals fill the kidney donor deficit

The Guardian | May 27, 2012 | [read the article]

Shanghai, China — By the time Hu Jie changed his mind about selling his kidney it was too late. The 25-year-old migrant worker had travelled to a distant province and had medical checks. A recipient had been matched. If he pulled out now, the web of doctors and agents brokering the illegal operation would lose a lot of yuan.

Illegal kidney trade booms as new organ is 'sold every hour'

The Guardian | May 27, 2012 | [read the article]

Shanghai, China — The illegal trade in kidneys has risen to such a level that an estimated 10,000 black market operations involving purchased human organs now take place annually, or more than one an hour, World Health Organisation experts have revealed..