Donors warned over cash links to organs

Potential organ donors have been warned to be wary of organ donor register sites which are offering “financial arrangements” regarding donation. The Human Tissue Authority (HTA) has issued a warning for people considering registering with services other than the National Health Service’s Organ Donor Register.

It said that it has become aware of an organisation, Organ Tree Ltd, which encourages “recipients and donor families to reach financial arrangements”.

Organ Tree encourages people to sign up to their register as a donor or recipient on its website.

Potential donors are told that their nominated beneficiary will get an “agreed amount to help offset funeral costs resulting from the donor’s death” from the person who would receive their donated organ.

HTA chief executive Allan Marriott-smith said: “Anyone in the UK signing up to an alternative service, where payment linked to donation is a possibility, is at risk of committing a criminal offence.

“You can be prosecuted for offering or receiving a reward in return for a donated organ, whether or not a transplant goes ahead.”