Organ Trafficking and Migration: A Bibliometric Analysis of an Untold Story

Juan Gonzalez, Ignacio Garijo and Alfonso Sanchez
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Juan Gonzalez: Department of International Relations, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 41704 Dos Hermanas, Spain
Ignacio Garijo: Department of International Relations, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 41704 Dos Hermanas, Spain
Alfonso Sanchez: Department of International Relations, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 41704 Dos Hermanas, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-11

Abstract: The debate over trafficking of human beings for the purpose of organ removal (THBOR) remains largely absent from policy debates, as its crime is hardly detected, reported and sparsely researched. However, criminal networks continue to exploit vulnerable populations, particularly migrants. To help bridge this gap in knowledge, we employ a bibliometric analysis to examine whether the nexus between organ removal and migration is being addressed by the current academic literature. Our results indicate that (1) research exploring the link between THBOR and migrants is relatively scarce; (2) organ trafficking literature output is largely clustered in a couple of Western countries, and (3) despite the international nature of the topic, most empirical studies on organ trafficking and migration lack representation within the social sciences and humanities. Taken together, our results point to a huge gap on scientific publications between THBOR and migration. Quantitative data is required to lift the current knowledge constraints and better inform policymakers.

Keywords: organ trafficking; migration; health; human trafficking; THBOR; refugees (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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