Man auctions kidney online to help ill daughter
Briton Peter Randall is trying to sell the organ on auction website eBay for at least 70,000 to finance special therapy for six-year-old Alice, who suffers from cerebral palsy.
The ad describes him as a "49-year-old non-smoking male who drinks only socially and who is in good health", and says the kidney could be posted to a buyer in Britain, Middle East, Asia, Europe or North America.
Alice Randall, who was born prematurely and unable to move her limbs, has been undergoing a new therapy known as conductive education.
Together with the baby's mother, Jennifer Stanbury, 44, Mr Randall has already spent over 40,000 on the treatment, which they say has given their daughter hope of being able to walk.
However, more money is needed to continue the course.
"I can survive with one kidney. It is a small price to pay to see my little girl take her first steps," Mr Randall said.
The six-year-old attends a mainstream primary school in West Kent which has a physical disability unit but her parents want her to go to a school that specialises in conductive education therapy.
A spokeswoman for eBay said there was a worldwide ban preventing members from selling human organs or body parts on its site and any advert would be removed.
However, she stressed around 19 million items were for sale on the site making it difficult to police. "Humans, the human body or any human body parts may not be listed on eBay or included as a gift, prize or in connection with a giveaway or charity," she said.
British Health Minister Rosie Winterton said: "The trading of human organs for profit is illegal and it will stay that way. It will also remain illegal to advertise organs for sale. This Government will not allow the exploitation of vulnerable people and the buying and selling of human bodies or their parts in this way."
A DoH spokeswoman said eBay could also be breaking the law.
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