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Transplant Risk

Three per cent of organ transplants in the past five years came from donors who had died from a drug overdose, figures uncovered by UK Transplant in 2007.

Listen here to find out the different opinions among medical experts.

During the organ transplantation, the use of organs in therapy could also pose a risk of diseases being transmitted to the recipient.

ADDICT DONORS 2002 - 2007

146 donors with history of drug abuse

450 organs donated

212 kidneys

126 livers

39 hearts

The figures show that 450 organs were taken from donors with a history of drug abuse during the five years, including people addicted to prescribed medication, over the counter drugs and illegal narcotics.