China to end organ donations from executed prisoners

[Raphael]

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BBC News - China to end organ donations from executed prisoners

China has pledged to end the practice of taking organs from executed prisoners within the next five years, state media report.

Officials say the country would instead rely on a new national donation system for organ transplants.

Prisoners account for two-thirds of China's transplant organs, according to previous estimates from state media.

Human rights groups say death row inmates are pressured to donate organs - China denies such allegations.

Correspondents say that China has long said it intends to reduce reliance on prisoners for organ donation, but the sheer volume of organs needed may make this difficult to achieve within the timeframe set out.

Official figures from the health ministry show that about 1.5 million people need transplants, but only 10,000 are performed annually, by state-run agency Xinhua says.

Huang Jiefu, vice minister of health, was quoted by Xinhua as saying that a trial system for public organ donation has been launched in some areas.

"The pledge to abolish organ donations from condemned prisoners represents the resolve of the government," he said.

He added that organ donations from prisoners were not ideal because infections are usually high, affecting the long-term survival rates of those who undergo the transplants.

Rights groups estimate that China puts to death thousands of prisoners a year.

Official figures, however, remain a state secret, according to the BBC's Martin Patience in Beijing.

He adds that the country faces a severe shortage of organ donors, partly because many people do not want to donate organs due to the cultural belief of that they should be buried whole.

This has led to a thriving black market. Officials outlawed organ trafficking five years ago, but it still remains a problem.

The Red Cross Society of China has also said that guidelines would be issued regarding financial aid to families of the deceased organ donors to help curb the illegal organ trade.

I hope this was done out of a rational cost-benefit analysis, not out of Western pressure. It could be a waste of good organs.

[NeutralCitizen]

BBC News - China to end organ donations from executed prisoners




I hope this was done out of a rational cost-benefit analysis, not out of Western pressure. It could be a waste of good organs.

Bad move Organs could be used for people in need Criminals will serve a better purpose and do some good.

[shuttler]

Bad move Organs could be used for people in need Criminals will serve a better purpose and do some good.

I partially agree to this. at least let the prisoners sign a letter of consent for the donations.

[ao333]

I partially agree to this. at least let the prisoners sign a letter of consent for the donations.

They always do, since they're usually not conscious by the time the Communist party is done with them.

[SinoChallenger]

BBC News - China to end organ donations from executed prisoners

Good move. Organ donation from condemned prisoners is never voluntary and entirely abhorrent.

A truly great power is magnanimous not stingy and a society is judged by the way it treats its prisoners.

[FairAndUnbiased]

Good move. Organ donation from condemned prisoners is never voluntary and entirely abhorrent.

A truly great power is magnanimous not stingy and a society is judged by the way it treats its prisoners.

true. We should strive to be a model for the world with a liberal, sustainable and scientific society. I wish we didn't have to develop the military, as any buildup of the military is a theft from the poor and hungry, but there are unfriendly forces both domestic and foreign that do not want to see us build a better world.

[Infinite]

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Bad move by China - The organs could be used to save lives.