TY - JOUR TI - Trafficking in persons for the removal of organs in India DO - https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-n3f4-g639 PY - 2018 AB - This dissertation explores how influences on the individual, family, community, and governmental level impact susceptibility to trafficking in persons for the removal of organs (TPRO) in India. Two of the research questions examine specifically what impacts vulnerability and protection among a sample of 43 individuals living in a community in India. The third research question explores the role of the living organ donor assessment process in the prevention of trafficking. In this dissertation, the theoretical understanding of how choices are made, or not made, particularly by vulnerable individuals, is explored. Qualitative interviews were conducted with persons trafficked for organ removal and persons not trafficked for organ removal who are living within the same socio-economic environment, but who were not all trafficked for organ removal. Study data were analyzed using constructivist grounded theory methods. Findings from this study show that economic, cultural, and social influences affect both protection from and susceptibility to trafficking. It was found that resources, government response to poverty, motivations, and the utilization of the body as an economic tool all influence trafficking status. Additionally, it was found that cultural and social influences included gender, family dynamics, awareness and community information sharing, and organ sale broker presence. Furthermore, trafficked persons secure government approval for organ removal through broker facilitation and the donor assessment often fails to protect against of persons for organs. Findings reveal that family pacts against organ sales, knowledge of negative consequences of transplant, and protect individuals from being trafficked for an organ. For those who were trafficked, it was found that the combination of poverty, coupled with the presence of organ brokers who work within an inadequate donor assessment system t created an environment where poverty originated organ removal (POOR) occurs. Both trafficked and non-trafficked individuals utilized their bodies in the way that they could to survive or meet financial obligations, as the environment requires it. This structurally coercive environment leads to trafficking of individuals for organ removal through the abuse of the individual’s vulnerability. This research provides macro to micro level recommendations for the elimination of TPRO through preventative programs and policies, as well as highlights the need for assistance for trafficked persons. KW - Social Work KW - Organ trafficking KW - Human trafficking LA - eng ER -