Egypt approves organ transplant bill
Egypt’s parliament voted by an overwhelming majority on Saturday to regulate organ transplants in a bid to curb illegal trafficking and tourism over the issue.
The law bans commercial trade in organs as well as transplants between Egyptians and foreigners, except in cases of husband and wife.
Operations in government hospitals are to be financed by the state.
According to the United Nations, hundreds of poor Egyptians sell their kidneys and livers every year to buy food or pay off debts.
The bill had sparked controversy, particularly over the definition of death.
The new law states that a three-member panel overseen by the health ministry must determine whether or not the donor is in fact dead through a series of tests.
It says removing organs before the panel’s approval will be considered first degree murder.
