GENEVA - According to the United Nation's World Health Organization (WHO), the lack of organ donors and new advanced transplantation surgical techniques have created a demand on poorer countries for organs, especially kidneys.

According to WHO, the demand for overseas organs has advanced steadily over the last 10 years and is now reaching epidemic proportions.

"People are being persuaded to sell their body parts to outsiders", said Luc Noel of the United Nation's chief health organization. "We believe that 10% to 15% of all kidney transplants in 2005 were obtained illegally" Noel told a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, home to WHO's headquarters.

Surging demand from those needing new livers, kidneys, hearts and other surgically transplantable organs have caused frustration due to the lack of donors and created a strong overseas market for illegal body organs.

It's estimated by some that up to 50% of the population in some poorer villages may have only one kidney.

Donors are often promised up to $5,000 for a kidney, but never see it, due to brokers commissions and the costs for removal of the organs.