Declaration of Istanbul

Declaration of Istanbul

Organ transplantation is one of the life-saving medical breakthroughs of the 20th century.

Over the years, growing renal transplant waiting lists and a discrepancy in organ supply and demand have marred this accomplishment and given rise to a network of illegal traffickers who exploit the vulnerability of patients desperately waiting for a life-saving transplant.

While illegal transplantation may seem like a “win-win” for the recipient in need of a kidney and a donor in need of money, the long-term effects are devastating to both parties and negatively impacts healthcare systems.

The Declaration of Istanbul (DoI) calls on the medical community, especially transplant surgeons and nephrologists, to join the World Health Organization (WHO) in putting pressure on Health Ministries with a transplantation program to eliminate organ trafficking and transplant tourism. The DoI is promoted, implemented, and upheld by the Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group (DICG). Read more about ISN’s work on the Declaration of Istanbul here.

News

Catch Up on Recent and Upcoming DICG Activities

Read the current issue of the Declaration of Istanbul on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism (DICG) newsletter here. The DICG is a joint initiative of the ISN and The Transplantation Society This edition features: TTS-DICG joint session on "Organ Trade, Trafficking, and Transplant Tourism: Government's and Scientific Societies' Responsibilities” at the "29th International Congress of The Transplant...

Discover the Latest Edition of the DICG Newsletter

Read the current issue of the Declaration of Istanbul on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism (DICG) newsletter here. The DICG is a joint initiative of the ISN and the Transplantation Society This edition focuses on: A year in review New endorsing societies 2022 DICG council and executive committee members DICG group registry on trafficking Upcoming webinar, "Transplantation in the context of...

Read the Latest News on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism

The July edition of the Declaration of Istanbul on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism (DICG) newsletter is now available. Read the DICG newsletter here. The current issue highlights: A report on the Pontifical Academy of Sciences Workshop held in June 2021. The most recent data from the WHO-ONT Global Observatory on worldwide activity in organ transplantation. Recognizing past and...

Read the Latest DICG Newsletter

The latest issue of the Declaration of Istanbul on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism (DICG) newsletter is now available. Read the DICG newsletter here. The current edition highlights: The launch of an open-access "DICG Course on Ethical Issues In Transplantation and The Declaration of Istanbul." New laws and regulations on organ donation and transplantation. The Global Kidney Exchange. A video...