title: Organ trade using social networks.
abstract: Organ transplantation is recognized worldwide as an effective treatment for organ failure. However, due to the increase in the number of patients requiring a transplant, a shortage of suitable organs for transplantation has become a global problem. Human organ trade is an illegal practice of buying or selling organs and is universally sentenced. The aim of this study was to search social network for organ trade and offerings in Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted from June 22, 2015 to February 19, 2016. The search was conducted on Twitter, Google answers, and Facebook using the following terms: kidney for sale, kidneys for sale, liver for sale, kidney wanted, liver wanted, kidney donor, and liver donor. We found a total of 557 adverts on organ trade, 165 (30%) from donors or sellers, and 392 (70%) from recipients or buyers. On Twitter, we found 472 (85%) adverts, on Google answers 61 (11%), and on Facebook 24 (4%). Organ trade is a global problem, and yet it is increasingly seen in many countries. Although the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation by-laws specifically prohibits and monitors any form of commercial transplantation, it is still essential to enforce guidelines for medical professionals to detect and prevent such criminal acts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Waleed
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Alrogy
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Dunia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jawdat
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Muhannad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alsemari
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdulrahman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alharbi
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alasaad
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ali H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Hajeer
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012944:Social Support; D014019:Tissue Donors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement