yakuza need liver transplants too

The Los Angeles Times reports that UCLA Medical Center and its most accomplished liver surgeon provided a life-saving transplant to one of Japan's most powerful gang bosses: Four Japanese gang figures got liver transplants at UCLA. In addition, the surgeon performed liver transplants at UCLA on three other men who are now barred from entering the United States because of their criminal records or suspected affiliation with Japanese organized crime groups.

According to law enforcement sources, the four surgeries were done between 2000 and 2004, apparently during a time of pronounced organ scarcity. In each of those years, more than 100 patients died awaiting liver transplants in the Greater Los Angeles region.

In each case, the surgeries were performed by world-renown liver surgeon Dr. Ronald W. Busuttil, executive chairman of UCLA's surgery department. There's no evidence that UCLA or Busuttil knew at the time of the transplants that any of the patients had ties to Japanese gangs, but both have said in statements that they don't make moral judgments about patients and treat them based on their medical need. And U.S. transplant rules do not prohibit hospitals from performing transplants on either foreign patients or those with criminal histories.

The story gets shadier though, with news that the gang boss, Tadamasa Goto, donated $100,000 to UCLA Medical Center shortly after the surgery: After livers, cash to UCLA. There's even a plaque at the entryway of the surgery office acknowledging his generous donation.

This news has some in the medical community worried that the revelation will have a negative effect on organ donations. It's hard enough as it is to get a transplant in this country, with organs in such short supply and many patients in need languishing on waiting lists. People don't want to be worried that their donated organs might actually end up saving the lives of shady characters and criminal figures. Definitely not yakuza. Now fear this! Your organs are going to the bodies of the ruthless Goto-gumi gang.

You know, this story could make a very interesting movie...