The National Kidney and Transplant Institute has cautioned the public against social media posts and AI-generated images joking about selling or trading kidneys in exchange for gadgets.
While acknowledging that many of the posts are meant as humor, the NKTI stressed that human organs should never be treated as commodities or forms of payment.
The institute warned that such content may be misunderstood, particularly by young or vulnerable audiences, and could create the false impression that organ trading is legal.
It added that these jokes may also trivialize the experiences of living donors, transplant recipients and patients waiting for organ transplants.
The NKTI urged social media users to exercise greater sensitivity and responsibility when posting online and to use digital platforms to promote accurate information about organ donation.
“Organ donation is a gift of life, not a means of payment,” the institute said.
