[Dave]

Originally Posted by j. d. worthington

This is not (quite) the same as some of the above,

All part of the same trend. Now you can get a fast track visa to the west if you donate...

Fears raised over immigrant organ donors
Visa officials get guidelines on processing immigrants willing to donate

By TOM GODFREY AND VIVIAN SONG, TORONTO SUN

Concerns are being raised about the global recruiting of live organ donors who are being fast-tracked here to save the lives of ailing Canadians, says an immigration policy analyst who sounded the alarm this week.

Canadian embassies worldwide have been issued guidelines on how to process potential immigrants seeking "organ visas," in which they're allowed to travel here to donate body parts, such as a kidney or liver, to prescreened Canucks.

"We need more in-depth examination and safeguards in these cases," Kurland said. "It is not enough to have airport inspections in cases like these."

But Melanie Carkner, a ministry of citizenship and immigration spokesman, slammed any suggestion the guidelines were issued because of a rising trend in donors seeking organ visas -- and a ticket into the country -- adding that donors were mostly relatives.

"There is no story," Carkner said yesterday. "People are certainly not coming here for that purpose... the guidelines were established to assist visa officers on ...issuing temporary visa applications ... anyone who comes here on a temporary visa is expected to leave at the end of the visit."

She was unable to provide the number of organ donors who seek temporary visas into the country, nor was information on countries of origin available.

Visa officers have been told to ensure the donors are not getting paid for the donations, but their travel, accommodation and expenses in Canada must be looked after by the recipient.

"The visa officer must be satisfied on a balance of probabilities that no sale of human organs is taking place," the guidelines state. "The possibility for financial inducement must be carefully examined."

When asked to elaborate how visa officers "balance probabilities," Carkner refused to comment, saying only that "checks" are put into place.

"I'm not prepared to discuss that ... that would compromise procedures. Our visa officers are well-trained professionals."

The officers are told there must be "evidence of medical compatibility" between donor and recipient, a letter from a transplant specialist indicating tests have been undertaken, a match found and that a centre will undertake the surgery to be paid by provincial insurance.

"Unavailability of local health-care facilities might be an inducement to remain in Canada," the guidelines said.

Officers were also told to speed up cases if the donation is a life-and-death matter and refuse those if the donor is involved in organ trafficking or not a legitimate visitor.

"Canada's national interest is not served by the issuance of a permit that facilitates the illegal international trade in human organs," the guideline states.