Myth: "I have heard about people who steal kidneys and sell them on the black market."
Fact: Unlike countries such as India or Peru, where an individual can sell one of his/her kidneys for transplant, there is no evidence of such activity ever occurring in the United States. While this tale may sound credible, it has no basis in the reality of organ transplantation. According to the National Organ Transplant Act of 1984, it is illegal to buy or sell human organs. Violators are subject to fines and imprisonment. In addition, a national governing body reviews every organ donation and transplant. Strict regulations prevent any type of "black market" existence in the United States. A recent attempt to sell a kidney on eBay, a popular internet marketplace, was immediately stopped by attorneys citing The National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 which prohibits the buying and selling of organs in the United States.

Myth: "I have heard about a business traveler who is heavily drugged, then awakens in a bathtub of ice to find he or she has had one kidney removed."
Fact:  This myth has no basis in the reality of organ transplantation which is a highly complex system requiring skilled medical professionals, complicated equipment and modern facilities; not to mention that such crude conditions for organ removal would cause death.  The tale, however, has been widely circulated over the Internet.

Myth: "Rich and famous people are moved to the top of the waiting list and regular people have to wait even longer."
Fact: The organ allocation and distribution system is blind to wealth or social status. The length of time it takes to receive a transplant is influenced by a variety of factors including location, severity of illness, physical characteristics (blood type, weight, genetic typing, and size) and length of time on the waiting list. Factors such as race, gender, age, income or celebrity status is never considered when determining who receives an organ.

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